Indonesia president's popularity drops on fuel price hike

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's popularity ratings have fallen because of a recent fuel price increase and he would likely lose if an election were held today, a new poll showed on Sunday.

Yudhoyono, a former general, won the country's first direct presidential election in 2004 when he promised to tackle widespread corruption, spur economic growth and create jobs.

But his government has struggled to deliver on some promises and his popularity, which was at 80 percent after he assumed office, has declined since then.

Private pollster Indo Barometer's poll showed Yudhoyono's popularity ratings fell significantly to 36.5 percent in the latest survey from 55.6 percent in their last survey in December 2007.

The survey also showed that only 20.7 percent of respondents would vote for Yudhoyono, down from 38.1 percent in December 2007, while 30.4 percent would vote for former president Megawati compared with 27.4 percent in the last poll.

Indo Barometer's findings are based on a nationwide survey of about 1,200 people conducted 10 days after the government increased fuel prices by an average of around 29 percent in May.

Indonesia is due to hold parliamentary and presidential elections next year and although Yudhoyono has not said he will run for an another term he is widely expected to do so.

The fuel price hike in May due to ballooning subsidies on the back of soaring global oil prices sparked protests in the country where millions are already suffering from rising food prices.