DENPASAR - PRESIDENTIAL candidate Megawati Sukarnoputri, campaigning on the predominantly Hindu island of Bali, was cheered by thousands of people as she tried to revive a decline in support in her biggest stronghold.

In a campaign stop on the island last Saturday, she promised to defend the interests of the Balinese better than the two other presidential contenders could.

She reminded the crowd that her Indonesian Democratic Party-Struggle (PDI-P) was against the passage of an anti-pornography law in Parliament last year.

On the other hand, the parties of her two opponents for the presidential posts - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party and Vice-President Jusuf Kalla's Golkar Party - backed the controversial Bill, she said. The Bill was ratified into law in October last year.

'As a plural nation that has a diverse range of dialects, religions, ethnicities, it is impossible for such a law to be implemented,' Ms Megawati told tens of thousands of people gathered at an open field in Denpasar, the island's capital.

The stipulations of the anti-pornography law on 'decent dress' could victimise women and minority cultures in Bali, where traditional dress codes range from bare shoulders and, in some areas, even bare breasts. Offenders face fines of up to six billion rupiah (S$852,000) and jail terms of up to 12 years.

Ms Megawati's running mate, Mr Prabowo Subianto, promised more jobs and less poverty, and refuted the government's claims on improvement in these areas.

'You've seen TV ads saying education is free, poverty has declined, people are happy. Let me ask you, 'Is that right? Are you all happy?'' he asked. The crowd replied: 'No!'

'If you want change, vote No. 2,' Mr Prabowo responded, referring to the pair's ballot paper number.

Ms Megawati served as president between 2001 and 2004. Polling for the presidential elections will be held on July 8.

Read the full story in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.