T

he second round of presidential debates scheduled for tonight will see candidates tackle the crucial issue of how to combat poverty and unemployment.

However, there is little hope for a livelier exchange of ideas.

The General Elections Commission (KPU) said the debate format will not drastically change.

The candidates are not preparing any special drills for the debate, which will be held at the MetroTV studios, in West Jakarta.

Spokesperson for the Jusuf Kalla and Wiranto campaign team, Yuddy Chrisnandi, said Kalla was hoping for a more intense debate.

"More time is needed for Kalla to elaborate on his arguments," he said.

"Commercial breaks run for four minutes each, while answering a question is limited to two minutes."

He said Kalla also wanted candidates to be given the time to question other candidates about the topic.

"The candidates should be able to ask and argue with each other about the issues, rather than just replying to the moderator's questions," he said.

Hatta Radjasa, head of the campaign team for the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono-Boediono pair, said the incumbent was ready to take part in the debate whatever format the KPU chose to use.

"The debates have long been scheduled by the KPU; of course Pak SBY is ready to engage in the debate," he said.

"Whatever format the KPU uses, we are ready."

He also said that Yudhoyono's previous TV appearance featured his "natural" disposition.

"He will come out naturally and there will be no need to *polish' his performance," Hatta said.

Ganjar Pranowo, a member of the Megawati Soekarnoputri and Prabowo Subianto campaign team, said that tonight's debate topic would be a great opportunity for Megawati to convey her campaign agenda of the people's economy.

"Tonight's debate will be a perfect forum for Megawati to deliver her economic vision and mission," he said.

He said that Megawati's answers would be based on the ideas of the people's economy.

KPU member I Gusti Putu Artha said that tonight's debate format would not be significantly changed, but said it would be more interactive and that there would be more time for an exchange of ideas.

"The candidates will be allowed to move around the stage and interact with the moderator as well as the audience," he said.

He also said the remaining time from the first session, the vision and mission statement session, would be scheduled for the second session.

He also encouraged the moderator to warn the candidates if they exceeded the time limit in answering the questions.

"The moderator should warn the candidates 15 seconds before their time is up," he said.

"The moderator will not be limited to three questions. The moderator can ask more questions depending on the remaining time," he said.

"Commercial breaks will be re-organized so that they will not disrupt the flow of the debate."

An expert economist from the Institute for the Development of Economics and Finance, Aviliani, is set to moderate the debate.

She said that she had prepared a strategy to bring out the best of the candidates' answers.

"My questions will be specific and supported by data and images on poverty and unemployment. This will challenge the candidates to give concrete answers and at the same time give the public an understanding of real conditions," she said.

"Thursday night's debate will be much anticipated because the theme is an urgent issue.