JAKARTA - PRESIDENT Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, heading for a sweeping re-election victory, is a retired four-star general who rose through the ranks of Indonesia's former dictatorship yet has recorded his own albums of romantic ballads.

Critics call him indecisive, but he has cultivated an image as a tough and dedicated corruption fighter with high moral integrity. He also ushered in an era of financial and political stability, ending a series of secessionist conflicts and restoring economic growth after the devastating Asian financial crisis in 1997-98 wiped out millions of jobs.

Dr Yudhoyono, 59, the nation's first directly elected leader, gained widespread praise for a crackdown on Islamic militants after a series of suicide bombings killed 240 people.

Sometimes called 'the thinking general,' friends say he is a solitary and well-read man with a sharp intellect. But some analysts say Dr Yudhoyono is slow to make decisions.

'Everyone knows he is an indecisive leader,' said Satya Arinanto, a political professor at the University of Indonesia. With a strong mandate from the public, however, 'there will be no more excuse for him to hesitate,' he said.

During an otherwise dull campaign period before Wednesday's vote, Dr Yudhoyono came out last week as a believer of Javanese mysticism, saying his family had prayed to repel attacks from opponents.

'In this period of campaigning, there are many people out there who use black magic,' he was quoted by local media as telling an Islamic prayer session at his home. 'Thankfully we got to our destination safely.'

Dino Patti Jalal, a close aide and presidential spokesman, defended Dr Yudhoyono's governing style in a new book, 'We Can!' He describes the head of state as 'a troubleshooter' who carefully listens to staff, has a keen memory for detail and prefers action over words.

One of the greatest challenges for Dr Yudhoyono came in the first year of his presidency when the 2004 Asian tsunami killed 130,000 people and displaced half a million more on Aceh province.

Foreign governments said he effectively managed one of the largest donor programs in history and then forged peace with rebels in the province in the wake of the disaster. -- AP

Read also:
PM calls Yudhoyono
What next?
Markets cheer Yudhoyono win
Set for a landslide win
Election free of tampering
Upbeat on growth