ABC Radio’s Sunday Profile presented by Geraldine Doogue, will broadcast a special program this Sunday 19 September at 9pm to mark the historic second round of the Indonesian Presidential election on Monday 20 September.

The bombing outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta could play an important
part not only in our election, but also the Indonesian Presidential election.

Indonesia is on the brink of one of the most exciting times in its turbulent 60-year history. 2004 has seen a dramatic growth in democracy – 147 million
voters have, in their first free elections in 50 years, chosen 16,000
representatives for local, state, national and Senate governments. 70% of the
successful candidates are sitting for the first time. But up till now the
elections have been almost completely free of violence.

And now it’s time to choose a President who has never been popularly elected before.

In the first round in July, the field was narrowed down to two – the incumbent daughter of the first President – Megawati Sukarnoputri, and the charismatic challenger, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

No-one knows who will win the second round on September 20. The incumbent
Megawati has not lived up to expectations, so Susilo represents change and is
more popular. Australia will be watching with interest – SBY, with his Western education, is expected to favour more contact with Australia.

Geraldine Doogue went to Indonesia to record interviews that go behind the
stereotypes to give a picture of a society in middle of rapid and far reaching
change.

Her guests will include
Muhammad Lutfi – the young businessman in charge of SBY’s election campaign and Chusnul Mar’iyah – Commissioner of the Indonesian Electoral Commission.

Sunday Profile is heard on ABC Local Radio