jQuery Set Selected Option Using Next

Answer 1

From version 1.6.1 on, it's advisable to use the method prop for boolean attributes/properties such as selected, readonly, enabled,...

var theValue = "whatever";
$("#selectID").val( theValue ).prop('selected',true);

For more info, please refer to to http://blog.jquery.com/2011/05/12/jquery-1-6-1-released/