SOLO (Indonesia) In the decade since Indonesia embraced democracy, Benny Adwinsyah has always voted for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), former president Megawati Sukarnoputri's political machine.

Solo, in Central Java, is a Megawati stronghold. But her dominance in this key region ahead of the July 8 presidential election is eroding as Indonesians like Adwinsyah applaud President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's reforms tackling graft and spurring economic growth.

“He's proved himself as someone who knows what he's doing, so I am switching to him,” Adwinsyah said.

Yudhoyono, Indonesia's first directly elected president, has delivered the highest economic growth in a decade and has given graft-busters in one of the world's most corrupt countries a free rein to pursue scores of government officials and central bankers, including one of his relatives by marriage.

He is up against Megawati - daughter of Indonesia's first president, Sukarno, a pedigree which gives her close to royal status in this part of the country - and Jusuf Kalla, a businessman who currently serves as vice president, in next month's election and is widely tipped to win.

Political analysts pay close heed to what happens in this part of the sprawling archipelago, given that about 60 per cent of the population of 226 million live on the island of Java, with the royal city of Solo at its very centre.

“Central Java will be indicative of Java as a whole and Java as a whole is the political heartland. It's where the voters are, especially savvy and well-informed voters,” said Kevin O'Rourke, a Jakarta-based political risk expert.

Policies not personalities

Rizka nur Fauzi, a student in Solo and first-time voter, is typical of many Indonesians who increasingly judge their politicians on policy, not personality.

“A lot of people around here were disappointed by Megawati as president. We all expected a lot but she didn't change very much at all,” said nur Fauzi.

High-profile investigations by the powerful Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) have led many voters to believe the incumbent president is serious about tackling graft, which not only affects ordinary Indonesians in their daily lives but also deters foreign investment and affects economic development.

“Our government has been clean, hard-working, and free from corruption, collusion and nepotism,” Yudhoyono told a crowded stadium in Solo on Monday, setting off cheers and shouts.

“KPK has started to make an impact. Megawati opened it but SBY (Yudhoyono) is the one who has put it into practice,” said Melaniati Sregar, a housewife in Solo who, like many Indonesians, has first-hand experience of corruption.

“I was asked for a bribe to get my child into the school I wanted for him. It cost me 1.5 million rupiah ($147). Corruption is a huge problem and it's everywhere.”

Against the backdrop of a global economic crisis, economic growth is on many voters' minds, with rising food prices, high fuel prices, and a lack of jobs among the top issues.

Yudhoyono and his running mate Boediono, a former economics minister and central bank governor, have promised to push ahead with much-needed infrastructure projects while providing cash handouts for the poor in a country with no social welfare system.

Megawati - who lost the 2004 election to Yudhoyono when he promised to focus on growth, job creation, and cutting graft - has promoted a “people's economy”, with a focus on agriculture, favouring domestic over foreign investment, and no foreign debt.

Kalla says he can achieve eight per cent economic growth by 2011 through “an independent, nationalist economy”.

Hardathi, owner of a white goods store in Solo, won't say who he will vote for but disparages Megawati's vision.

“People who talk about a people's economy are talking rubbish. It's not possible,” he said.

Making inroads

Yudhoyono's Democrat Party won the April 9 general election with a fifth of the votes, up from 7.5 per cent in 2004.

In several districts in Central Java, it made big gains at the expense of Megawati's PDI-P, even overtaking it in some parts of this PDI-P bastion, according to Pemilu Asia, which tracks election results.

Megawati still has plenty of faithful supporters, not just because of her father. Some are drawn to promises made by both Megawati and Kalla to rewrite contracts with foreign resources companies so that Indonesia derives greater benefits.

“A lot of people want contracts with foreign companies renegotiated,” said Adwinsyah, the car parts seller who is switching from Megawati to Yudhoyono.

“Our wealth and natural resources are so great but we don't see the results. We have all these huge mines but the money seems to disappear.”

The fight for the Javanese spiritual heartland means that all three candidates are campaigning heavily here.

“Solo is a must for whoever wants to be king. Solo is on the road to glory,” said Mufti Rahardjo, a government worker.

Megawati makes much of her image as “mother of the people” and a champion of “the little people” or “wong cilik” as Indonesians refer to the ordinary man on the street.

“Sure, Megawati loves the people but they all love the people,” said Djawadi, who sells sunglasses and who says he has switched to Yudhoyono because of his tough line on graft.

“At least SBY actually started some changes.”—Reuters