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By Kanupriya Kapoor JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's outgoing president has spoken out in favor of retaining direct elections for governors and mayors, saying democratic reforms had to be protected. Indonesia's parliament has proposed doing away with direct elections for provincial, district and city leaders, saying legislative assemblies in those jurisdictions should fill those posts. A new generation of politicians, including president-elect Joko Widodo, has risen to prominence by winning direct elections for regional posts, introduced in 2005. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono backed keeping the direct elections in an interview late on Sunday, which was posted on his ruling party's YouTube channel.More...