Jakarta - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he would run for a second term in next year's presidential election, so that he could press on with economic and political reforms, media reports said Monday. "God willing, I will run again for president in 2009," Yudhoyono was quoted as saying by the state-run Antara news agency. He said he wanted to be re-elected so that he could finish the reforms he started.
Yudhoyono, 59, who was elected in 2004 in Indonesia's first direct presidential election, indicated he would probably run with Vice President Jusuf Kalla, chairman of the Golkar Party.
"It's still too early to say who is vice president but it's highly possible that (I will) run with JK," Yudhoyono said, referring to Kalla's short name.
But whether Kalla was to become his deputy depended on developments within the Golkar Party, an important coalition partner of Yudhoyono's Democratic Party, and on Kalla's personal goals, he added.
Before Sunday evening's announcement, Yudhoyono made no mention about whether he would seek re-election, although he was expected to try for a second term.
Indonesia, the world's fourth most-populous nation, is due to hold a parliamentary election on April 9, 2009, and a presidential vote a few months later.
Recent surveys show Yudhoyono's popularity has declined due to rising food and energy prices and the president's decision to raise fuel prices by an average 28 per cent in June.
His rivals have already started campaigning to replace him, with top contenders former president Megawati Sukarnoputri and former military commander Wiranto crisscrossing the country to gather support.
