Indonesia's demigod sultan eyes the presidency

[Coventina]

Source: Reuters

YOGYAKARTA, Indonesia (Reuters) - The Sultan of Yogyakarta, a revered Indonesian royal who has long harbored political ambitions, told an audience of thousands made up of princes and commoners that he would run for president next year.

Sri Sultan Hamengkubuwono X, whom many Javanese regard as semi-divine, said he would address widespread unemployment and poverty if he won the election against incumbent Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"Fulfilling the call of the mother country, I am ready to be the president in 2009," the sultan, 62, told a crowd of about 200,000 who braved the rain to gather in Yogyakarta's main square to hear him speak, applauding enthusiastically.

(snip)

Some of his ancestors famously resisted the Dutch colonial powers, while his father served as vice president under the late president Suharto.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUSTRE49R3F120081028