Although the two could easily express their ideas and programs articulately, they refrained from attacking each other orally during the two-and-half-hour debate on education, health, manpower and culture.

Unexpectedly, the 76-year-old Ma’ruf, a Muslim cleric, demonstrated his extensive knowledge on issues other than Islam during the debate, as he explained in plain language the programs he and the incumbent President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo would realize if they were elected.

For example, while Ma’ruf did not offer anything new on the employment issue, he said if reelected, President Jokowi’s main agenda would be to improve the existing policy that had successfully reduced the country’s unemployment rate to its lowest in 20 years.

Ma’ruf also said that to ensure that job seekers would possess the skills needed by the industrial sector, they would expand the current program, which involved the business community in providing professional training programs. A number of incentives would also be given in addition to the current tax benefits to encourage more companies to join the program.

Prabowo Subianto’s running mate Sandiaga offered more concrete programs to manage unemployment and in creating jobs, although some of them seemed unrealistic.

Sandiaga said he and Prabowo had just launched their Rumah Siap Kerja (ready to work employment center) program in a bid to reduce unemployment in the country. The employment center, which also assists in online job searches and applications to both private companies and state institutions, would gradually be established in all districts so that high school graduates who cannot continue their education can gain the skills they needed.

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