Rusli Zainal Wins Riau Gubernatorial Elections
Wednesday, 24 September, 2008 | 11:48 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Riau:Pollsters have declared the Rusli Zaina–H.R. Mambang Mit duo the winners in the Riau gubernatorial elections yesterday. Two surveys indicated that Rusli and his running mate – who is the incumbent governor– was way ahead of his opponents, the teams of Chaidir – Suryadi Khusaini and Raja Thamsir Rachman – Taufan Andoso.

Polls taken by the Indonesian Survey Agency (LSI) showed that Rusli Zainal amd Mambang , who are backed by Golkar, the United Development Part (PPP), the Reform Star Party (PBR), and the National Awakening Party (PKB), won 58.32 percent straight.

In number two was the Chaidir–Suryadi team, supported by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Crescent Star Party (PBB) with 23.30 percent. Coming last was the Thamsir–Taufan duo, supported by the National Mandate Party (PAN), the National Labor Party, the National Democratic Party (PDK) and the Peace and Prosperity Party (PDS) with only 22.32 percent.

“From 400 polling samples, Rusli Zainal won in almost every voting site, said Adam Kamil, an LSI researcher. “The only place where Thamsir won narrowly was Indragiri,” he added.

A number of Riau’s environmental activists urged the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) a while ago to complete the investigation allegedly involving Rusli and five other regents in a corruption case linked to a forestry concession permit. The KPK has only called questioned them as witnesses.

All candidates were unwilling to comment yet on the temporary election results. “We are winning in many voting sites, but we cannot clarify anything because the results from many voting sites have not been announced,” said Abu Bakar Sidik, deputy campaign manager for the Rusli – Mambang team. “No comment for the moment. We are still colleting the data,” said Rusli Achmad, who is also advising the Chaidir – Suryadi campaign manager.

Riau General Elections Commission chairman, Sofyan Samad said they are still counting the votes. “We will see the results next week,” he said.

DWI WIYANA | JUPERNALIS SAMOSIR