Indonesian leader poised to win 2nd term, polls show

JAKARTA: Opinion polls indicate Indonesia's president is on course to win a second 5-year term in today's election, a sign of widespread public satisfaction with the country's newfound democratic and economic stability.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, a retired military general, is hoping for victory in the first round to avoid a runoff vote in September. He has gained popularity with a corruption-free image, financial support for the poor and a pledge to bring a new era of progress to the world's fourth most populous country.

Until recently, Indonesia was wracked by secessionist battles, suicide bombings by Al-Qaida-funded Islamic militants and millions of job losses after the Asian financial crisis in 1997-1998 toppled the banking system.