Indonesian media eager for result

Monday's election was Indonesia's first ever direct presidential poll

The press in Indonesia is full of expectation and hope, as the votes cast in Monday's presidential election are counted.

Most papers praise voters and the country for participating in Indonesia's first direct presidential poll, although one warns against believing all the candidates' promises.

A news website also chooses to highlight that elections can sometimes have their humorous side.

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A new chapter in history, called the "presidential election", was written by us yesterday... All of us Indonesians are in a "waiting room", waiting hopefully and apprehensively for that new president. Who will the majority choose, then, to lead the country in the 2004-2009 five-year period? That is what we are waiting for. Without astonishing maturity and patience from the people, the country may slip back. Because of this, there is no excuse for the leaders to push the people aside. Don't hurt the people again.

Jakarta's Media Indonesia

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Indonesia is certainly an extraordinary country. It is rich in natural and human resources, varied in its cultural life and expression, strong in its togetherness, and sincere and honest when challenged to work hard, to do its utmost... While thinking great, serious, intelligent and sincere thoughts like these, we await the result of the election. The people have achieved sovereignty in choosing a president and vice-president.

Jakarta's Kompas

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Last month was indeed a busy time for the five presidential candidates as they roamed the country, jumping from one province to another and making many sweet promises to garner voter support. One of the candidates promised to create almost 13 million jobs within the next five years. Another candidate promised free education up to high school for all students and generous subsidies for small enterprises and farmers.

Still another candidate committed to creating millions of jobs through labour-intensive projects such as the building of low-cost public housing. These promises are obviously unrealistic and almost impossible to deliver given the severe restraints within the state budget. One may wonder how the candidates could be so ignorant about the sorry state of public sector finances.

The Jakarta Post

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What will happen to Indonesian politics after the first round of the presidential election? Whoever wins, whoever loses, Indonesia must remain warm and close.

J.A. Denny in Jakarta's Suara Pembaruan

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5 July should be recorded by the Indonesian nation as a historic day... The life of our nation for the next five years is at stake. As citizens, we certainly hope that this nation and country will move on the right track.

Denpasar's Bali Post

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At several polling stations in East Java, voters were entitled to enter lucky draws for various prizes as part of an effort to increase voter turnout. The prizes, donated by so-called community groups, included motorbikes, hairdryers, irons and kitchenware appliances.

Also up for grabs at one polling station in Jember, East Java, were two goats, which brightened up the day and embarrassed election officials by copulating when filmed by a television crew.

Jakarta's Laksamana.net

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BBC Monitoring, based in Caversham in southern England, selects and translates information from radio, television, press, news agencies and the Internet from 150 countries in more than 70 languages.