Muninggar Sri Saraswati & Markus Junianto Sihaloho – Indonesians have opted for certainty in their lives over the next five years.

That's the verdict of political observers who saw voters making a clarion call for stability. "People have been through many problems in our country. They want certainty. They are not necessarily satisfied with Yudhoyono's performance, but they chose him rather than other candidates whose records are not seen to be better than his," said Imam Prasodjo, a political sociologist from the University of Indonesia.

Political analyst Sunny Tanuwijaya, from the Center for Strategic and International Studies, agreed, saying Indonesians voted for Yudhoyono because "they know what they will get." "They want continuity to ensure a betterment of their life. Remember, we all experienced turbulence when we started with democracy in 1998," he said.

Ikrar Nusa Bakti, a political expert from the state-run Indonesian Institute of Scieces (LIPI) put it in other words. "Most voters are conservative, afraid of change. Apparently, they believe in the 'slowly but surely' principle."

Neither Imam nor Sunny expected major change under Yudhoyono and Boediono, but said their government would likely get all its programs through without too much resistance from the House of Representatives.

"I predict Golkar will join the Democratic Party coalition. If it happens, the government would face no problem at all in implementing its programs as the House would most likely approve legislation submitted by the government," Sunny said.

Golkar chairman Jusuf Kalla, who has vowed to leave politics if he lost the election, is likely to give up his party position.

Ikrar was more critical of Yudhoyono, saying that those who voted for the incumbent may be in for a disappointment because of his perceived indecisiveness. "Both Yudhoyono and Boediono are Javanese, who are known to be slow in making decisions. This could create public disappointment," said the observer, himself Javanese.

He also raised concerns about Yudhoyono's recent statement seen as weakening the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). Yudhoyono campaigned in 2004 on a promise to crack down on rampant graft.

Sunny and Imam, however, believed that Yudhoyono would do his best to develop the country in his last five years in office.

"Yudhoyono is known as an image-conscious man. He puts a lot of effort into keeping his good image both here and abroad. I am sure he will do his best, not necessarily because he cares about the country but because he wants to leave a good imprint in our country's history," Sunny said.