">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Indonesia's president: a crooner and a general
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Indonesia's president: a crooner and a general
By NINIEK KARMINI,Associated Press Writer AP - Thursday, July 9
JAKARTA, Indonesia - Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, a retired four-star general who rose through the ranks of Indonesia's dictatorship and can also croon romantic ballads, looked set to win a second five-year term in presidential elections Wednesday.
ADVERTISEMENT
Critics call Yudhoyono, 59, indecisive, but he has cultivated an image as a tough and dedicated corruption fighter with high moral integrity. He also ushered in an era of financial and political stability, ending a series of secessionist conflicts and restoring economic growth after the devastating Asian financial crisis in 1997-98 wiped out millions of jobs.
Yudhoyono _ the nation's first directly elected leader _ gained widespread praise for a crackdown on Islamic militants after a series of suicide bombings killed 240 people.
Sometimes called "the thinking general," friends say he is a solitary and well-read man with a sharp intellect.
But some analysts say Yudhoyono is slow to make decisions. "Everyone knows he is an indecisive leader," said Satya Arinanto, a political professor at the University of Indonesia. With a strong mandate from the public, however, "there will be no more excuse for him to hesitate," he said.
Dino Patti Jalal, a close aide and presidential spokesman, defended Yudhoyono's governing style in a new book, "We Can!" He describes the head of state as "a troubleshooter" who carefully listens to staff, has a keen memory for detail and prefers action over words.
One of the greatest challenges for Yudhoyono came in the first year of his presidency when the 2004 Asian tsunami killed 130,000 people and displaced half a million more on Aceh province. He was widely praised by foreign governments for effectively overseeing one of the largest donor programs in history and then forging peace with rebels in the province in the wake of the disaster.
Yudhoyono, whose father was an army lieutenant, graduated from the national military academy at age 24 at the top of his class. He has a master's degree in management from Webster University in St. Louis, Mo. He received military training at Ft. Benning, Georgia, and Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.
During later deployments to the former Indonesian territory of East Timor, where around 174,000 Timorese died as a result of Indonesian military operations, Yudhoyono headed a battalion of soldiers.
His name has been mentioned by opponents in connection with atrocities there, but there have never been trials for past military rights abuses and no evidence has ever been presented linking him to wrongdoing.
It was his reputation for integrity and respect for human rights that led to his appointment in 1995 as a top military observer with the U.N. peacekeeping force in Bosnia, where he headed a contingent of Indonesian soldiers.
As Indonesia entered a period of instability at the end of the 32-year Suharto dictatorship in the late 1990s, Yudhoyono continued to climb the military ladder.
Joining the first post-Suharto government as mining minister, he quickly rose to the more prominent post of security and political affairs minister. His resignation after a political spat over the country's future with the then president earned him public support and he handily won the 2004 presidency.
Married with two sons, the president has released several albums featuring his own love songs, some of them now covered by Indonesian boy bands and sold in record stores.
They "express my feelings and thoughts as president and an ordinary human being," he said on his Web site.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Indonesia
Indonesian president on track for re-electionAP - Thursday, July 9
Indonesia's president: a crooner and a generalAP - Thursday, July 9
Up to 74 Afghan migrants missing off IndonesiaAP - Thursday, July 9
Indonesia's Yudhoyono wins second termReuters - Thursday, July 9
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Taiwan's women split over prostitution issueAFP - Thursday, July 9
China flexes muscles in strife-torn XinjiangReuters - Thursday, July 9
Rogers patient as Tour de France heads into Stage 6AFP - Thursday, July 9
Evans down, but not out at Tour de FranceAFP - Thursday, July 9
1st Americans killed in Vietnam War are honoredAP - Thursday, July 9
Related Full Coverage
Suharto
Former Indonesian president
All Full Coverage
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Jackson 'best father' ever, daughter tells the world
Jackson mother relieved of estate on funeral eve
Miniskirts, cleavage upset male SKoreans: survey
World's oldest surviving Bible published online
Grown-up Harry Potter stars at premiere of sixth film
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Thursday, 9 July 2009 Clinton sees more Iran sanctions if outreach fails
Spain's Sacyr wins bid to expand Panama Canal: official
IMF projects stronger 2010 recovery
Army feeble as murders surge in Mexico drug war city
| International
|
Two car bombs kill 14 people in northern Iraq
| International
|
One death penalty in first Saudi terror trials
| International
|
Mobs roam China's restive Urumqi
US missiles kill up to 48 in Pakistan Taliban hub: officials
West Japan Railway chief indicted over train disaster
Taiwan's opposition boycotts China forum
News Corp won't buy Twitter, won't sell MySpace
| Technology
|
Philippines, rebels may resume talks next month
Watchdog: FEMA still lacks housing plan
Mobile entertainment seeking players and payment
| Technology
|
Overnight downpour fails to fix Mumbai water woes
Thorny thief snips 100 rose blooms from Maine park
Violent protests in Indian Kashmir capital, '50 hurt'
Amazon cuts Kindle price to $299
| Technology
|
14 US personnel treated for swine flu
Ex-defense contractor exec wants to plead guilty
Government Web sites attacked; NKorea suspected
Judge denies motion to fast-track GM sale appeal
Report: Probe found weaknesses in federal security
Important to talk to Iran, NKorea: Obama
Presidential records a time capsule of Bush years
McNair Girlfriend Felt Life "Spinning Out Of Control"
Senate hearing focuses on threats to wildlife
Blind Sailors Race In Boston Harbor
Medical First: 4 Hospitals, 8 Kidneys, 16 Surgeries
Google Developing New PC Operating System
Massachusetts Sues Over Federal Same-Sex Marriage Law
Biden: Hospitals To Give $155 Billion In Savings To Help Healthcare Overhaul
Poll Finds New York City Voters Favor Mayor Bloomberg, But Want Change
Richard Gere: Dog is hero in film about Japan tale
Test Reveals Security Breaches In Government Buildings; Bombs Smuggled Undetected
G8 spies economic danger signs as summit begins
Illegal Mexican Immigrants Sentenced For Abduction Of Fellow Drug Dealer
San Miguel takes stake in Philippines telecom outfit
SKorea, EU in final consultation on FTA: official
Ericsson inks $1.7 bln deals with Chinese firms
IMF raises Asia 2009 growth forecast
China says June bank lending doubles from May
Official: NKorea believed behind cyber attacks
Indonesia's Yudhoyono wins second term
40 years on, Paris shows 'A Man On the Moon'
In Jackson memorial, a new child star born?
U.S. Olympic Committee to launch TV network in 2010
| Entertainment
|
France begins hearings on banning the burka
Adelson says Singapore casino opening delayed
Indonesians vote calmly in presidential election
Sons of Taliban drug addict show Pakistan challenges
Payoff ends custody battle over Knut the bear
Real recruits seen drawing more Asian tourists to Spain
First individual Chinese tourists visit Japan
Aussie among three hurt in Pamplona running of the bulls
Malaysia drops English for math, science classes
La Toya Jackson scene cut from 'Bruno'
French Senate adopts rejigged Internet piracy bill
US general cites shortage of Afghan forces
Air France pilot union attacks safety bodies over Brazil crash
China flexes muscles in strife-torn Xinjiang
| International
|
South Korea, U.S. Web sites down for 3rd day on attack
GM could exit bankruptcy very soon
UN: Rape, sexual violence growing in Afghanistan
Honduras rivals to talk, but no sign of concessions
| International
|
Sharp to raise LCD panel output capacity
Eight killed in Russian Caucasus violence: reports
IMF projects stronger 2010 recovery from global recession
Bombings kill at least 41 in Iraq
| International
|
Two car bombs kill 14 people in northern Iraq
Blast outside school in Afghanistan kills 15
| International
|
Ireland to vote again on EU's Lisbon Treaty on Oct 2
Apps a nail in coffin of broadcast mobile TV
Twin car bombs kill 12 in Iraq
Iran won't back down one step in atom row
| International
|
Easter Island drug makes Methuselah mice
Data Domain accepts EMC takeover bid
Iraq car bombs kill 16
U.S. denies Israeli report of deal on settlements
CORRECTED: Amazon cuts Kindle price to $299
G8 sets Iran deadline for nuclear talks
| International
|
AT&T takes issue with antitrust criticism
Clerical discontent challenges Iran leader
Air France chief says reaction to crash was timely
| International
|
Amazon cuts Kindle price to 299 dollars
Colombia's Uribe backs hostage mediation
| International
|
UN: Israel must tear down West Bank barrier
U.N. rights experts stress Iran concerns, seek visit
Times Co. extends deadline for Boston Globe bids
Mobile entertainment seeking players and payment
Iraq group calls for further attacks on U.S. troops
Taiwan's women split over prostitution issue
News Corp won't buy Twitter, won't sell MySpace
| Technology
|
China flexes muscles in strife-torn Xinjiang
Google takes aim at Microsoft with new PC platform
| Technology
|
Rogers patient as Tour de France heads into Stage 6
Apps a nail in coffin of broadcast mobile TV
| Technology
|
Evans down, but not out at Tour de France
Firefighters Battling Brush Fire Near World Famous Getty Center Art Complex
Portland, Ore., street renamed Cesar Chavez Blvd.
Reports Find Bottled Water Less Tested Than Tap Water
AT&T takes issue with antitrust criticism
| Technology
|
Retiring US commander predicts easy Karzai win
1st Americans killed in Vietnam War are honored
US officials eye North Korea in cyber attack
Australian executive held on spy charge in China
More web attacks likely, North Korea suspected
| Technology
|
Schumer: Immigration bill to be ready by Labor Day
PROMISES, PROMISES: Politics shadow Obama's pledge
China tries new openness with foreign media
Sharp to raise LCD panel output capacity
| Technology
|
NKorea's Kim pays homage to late father in televised tribute
Obama names gene guru Francis Collins NIH chief
Anxiety over economic recovery weighs on stocks
Verdict reached in Jesse James Hollywood trial
Blagojevich aide pleads guilty in corruption case
Paris Hilton film trial rooted in Ponzi scheme
South Korea c.bank holds rates steady for 5th month
Taiwan dlr off 2-mth closing low as stocks rise
HIGHLIGHTS-South Korean central bank chief's comments
S.Korean T-bond futures jump ahead of rate vote
High school comedy "Beth Cooper" flunks out
Jackson doctor denies drug link after tributes
Seoul shares slip as techs, autos retreat
Indonesian president on track for re-election
Obama inauguration audience trumped Jackson memorial
Indonesia's president: a crooner and a general
Australian executive held on spy charge in China
Up to 74 Afghan migrants missing off Indonesia
Michael Jackson's family silent on burial plans
| Entertainment
|
AP newsroom is a setting for Drew Barrymore film
Q&A: Reality honcho Burnett dives into Shark Tank
| Entertainment
|
LA seeks ways to pass on cost for Jackson memorial
Scooby-Doo director takes on Smurfs movie
| Entertainment
|
Nielsen: 30.9 million watched Jackson memorial
Hope Davis to play Hillary Clinton
| Entertainment
|
Kate Gosselin to attend California women's forum
Robin Williams lined up for HBO comedy special
Award turns blind Japan pianist into music sensation
| Entertainment
|
`Transformers' hits $300 million mark in 14 days
Paris Hilton film trial rooted in Ponzi scheme
Dole sues Bananas documentary maker
| Entertainment
|
High school comedy Beth Cooper flunks out
| Entertainment
|
Dan Brown moves to Washington for new thriller
| Entertainment
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights