Widodo's track record supports market hopes

AS the campaigning in the run-up to Indonesia's parliamentary elections enters its final week, attention is turning to the likely market impact of a big win by the opposition Indonesian Democratic Party - Struggle (PDI-P) led by Jakarta's reformist governor Joko Widodo.

A poll by the Centre for Strategic Studies published this week put the PDI-P at the top of a list of 12 political parties vying for seats in the House of Representatives. Just over 20 per cent of decided voters appear set to vote for a PDI-P candidate when they go to the polls on April 9; the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) had the support of 16 per cent.

The PDI-P, which pledged last month to nominate Mr Widodo as its candidate for president, stands to boost its standing as it taps into his widespread popularity, say analysts.