Jakarta – Two farmers associations will likely split in the upcoming presidential election, with the Indonesian Farmers Council (DTI) backing the incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

DTI chairman Ferry J. Juliantono, who was put under city arrest for his role in the violent demonstrations against the fuel price hike in March 2008, said most members of the association had expressed their support for the SBY-Boediono ticket.

"Only a few of them will likely vote for Megawati-Prabowo. Almost none said they supported Kalla-Wiranto; I don't know why," he said, adding the DTI could provide up to 1 million votes for the incumbent President.

The DTI's siding with Yudhoyono clashes with the Indonesian Farmers and Fishermen Association's (HKTI) support of HKTI chairman Prabowo Subianto.

Ferry denied the DTI was officially affiliated with SBY, saying, "The political supports for SBY comes from the grass roots."

Ferry, previously sentenced to a year in prison by the Central Jakarta District Court, is now under city arrest pending the outcome of an appeal lodged with the Jakarta High Court.

He added he was not seeking victory in court as compensation for his support of the incumbent.

"This has nothing to do with my case," he said. "When I rallied, I protested against the government's raising of fuel prices. But I didn't hate SBY personally."