REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, KYOTO -- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono expressed his disappointment over the House of Representatives that decided the local election through parliament. In the middle of his visit to Japan, Yudhoyono promised to fight for direct election.

"I do not agree with indirect election. We still choose direct election by reducing several excesses. I will continue to fight for it," President said while delivering a speech at Ritsumeikan University, Kyoto, Japan on Monday.

Chairman of ruling party explained that democracy in Indonesia could go hand in hand with economic growth. Democracy could also go hand in hand with Islam. He questioned these several things when stepping into presidential competition in 2004.

"Our democracy continues stable and more mature. No turning point in our democracy and there has never been a military coup in Indonesian politics. Democracy also encourages more democratic processs in Indonesia. Can democracy separate us? No. It even unites us and strengthens our economic growth," Yudhoyono added.

Chairman of Constitutional Court, Hamdan Zoelva admitted that he received a phone call from President Yudhoyono on Sunday.

"Yes, president called me by phone. He expressed his disappointment over decision making in the plenary session at parliament, which passed indirect election," Zoelva said.

He told President that the approval process was preceded by the opinion of the House of Representatives through each member of party.

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