THE hum of activities in suites 33-36 of the Aston Apartments in Jakarta's Kuningan area buzzes at a furious pace. People gather seven days a week to hold discussions, review media coverage of political developments and presidential debates, discuss campaign schedules and formulate strategy. Such meetings can last well into the night.

"It's Solahuddin Wahid's victory kitchen," said Saifullah Maksum, who heads Solahuddin's internal team