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Kalla, Hatta spar over science, technology in fourth debate
Listen carefully: Vice presidential candidate Jusuf Kalla speaks about science and technology research programs while his rival, Hatta Rajasa, listens during the fourth presidential candidate debate, which focused on human resources, development, and science and technology, in Jakarta on Sunday evening
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Listen carefully: Vice presidential candidate Jusuf Kalla speaks about science and technology research programs while his rival, Hatta Rajasa, listens during the fourth presidential candidate debate, which focused on human resources, development, and science and technology, in Jakarta on Sunday evening.(JP/DON) (JP/DON)
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span class="caption">Listen carefully: Vice presidential candidate Jusuf Kalla speaks about science and technology research programs while his rival, Hatta Rajasa, listens during the fourth presidential candidate debate, which focused on human resources, development, and science and technology, in Jakarta on Sunday evening.(JP/DON)
Rival vice-presidential candidates Jusuf Kalla and Hatta Rajasa covered science and technology, a topic rarely discussed on the campaign trail, in the fourth televised presidential candidate debate at Bidakara Hotel, South Jakarta, on Sunday evening.
While Kalla highlighted the need for state-owned science agencies to driver innovation in science and technology, Hatta, said a 12-year compulsory education system would develop expertise in the sector.
'State research institutions, such as the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology [BPPT], the Indonesian Institute of Sciences [LIPI], the National Nuclear Energy Agency [BATAN], and universities, should spearhead science and technology development,' said Kalla.
The debate, which was moderated by Dwikorita Karnawati, a geology professor from Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, began at 8:30 p.m. and was shown live on RCTI and MNC TV.
Kalla said the allocation of 20 percent of the state budget for education would support scientific research and technological development, adding that the private sector's involvement in research should continue.
Hatta said a 12-year compulsory education system should ensure all children had access to quality education, he further said.
'As much as 46 percent of Indonesia's workforce is elementary school graduates only. We should strive to ensure that all children can have access to 12 years compulsory education to increase their productivity,' said Hatta.
Sunday's debate, which focused on human resources, development, and science and technology, was the fourth in a series of five debates ' and the only one to pit the two vice presidential candidates against each other ' held by the General Elections Commission (KPU).
The last debate, which will focus on food energy and environment, is slated for July 5. (gda/ebf)
