Indonesian presidential frontrunner picks popular ex-vp as r

Bareksa.com -  Indonesian presidential frontrunner Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on Monday named popular former vice president Jusuf Kalla as his running mate in July's election, boosting his chances of becoming the next leader of the world's third largest democracy.

Recent opinion polls show a pairing of Jokowi from the main opposition party PDI-P and Kalla from the country's second biggset party Golkar has a significant lead over their main rival. If no ticket wins more than 50 percent of the vote in the July 9 election, there will be a second round in September.

"After meeting all the party chairpersons...it was agreed on Jusuf Kalla," PDI-P vice secretary general Tjahjo Kumolo told reporters.

Jokowi and Kalla are up against rivals Prabowo Subianto, a former general with a chequered human rights record, and his running mate Hatta Rajasa, a former chief economic minister.

One recent poll showed Jokowi's lead had narrowed slightly, although he was still 15 points ahead of Prabowo.

Jakarta stocks rose more than 1 percent on reports that Kalla would be the choice for running mate.

Kall is seen as bringing strong business credentials to the ticket, as Jokowi is regarded as relatively inexperienced having enjoyed a meteoric rise on the political scene since becoming the governor of Jakarta in late 2012.

Kalla, 72, served as vice president during outgoing President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's first term in office from 2004 to 2009, where he gained the reputation of being a can-do and astute politician.

Since leaving office, he has remained prominent in the public eye as the head of the Indonesian Red Cross, a humanitarian aid organisation with extensive reach across the vast archipelago.

A native of the eastern island of Sulawesi, Kalla appeals to voters both in and outside the main island of Java.

Jokowi's popularity lies in a common touch and straighforward style, that sets him apart from an aloof and elitist political establishment that has long dominated Indonesia.

Kalla is also hugely popular within his own Golkar party and is likely to encourage support from bothf party members and voters.

Candidates and their running mates must be registered with the election body by May 20. (Source : Reuters)