V presenter Tina Talisa has played down concerns that she could be biased toward a certain Jakarta gubernatorial candidate team when serving as a moderator of the second official candidates debate on Friday night.
Tina, who gained popularity during her stint as a news anchor for a private television station, said that when the General Elections Commission (KPU) Jakarta asked her to be the a co-moderator for the second debate, she was required to sign a written statement declaring that she would maintain her impartiality and would not advantage or disadvantage any candidates.
“I have signed the statement and I will absolutely respect it,” Tina said, adding that people should focus on the debate instead of the rumor.
(Read also: Two people to moderate second Jakarta debate)
The appointment of Tina has raised concerns due to the fact that she is a sister-in-law of Mirwan Amir, a former Democratic Party candidate who recently jumped ship to the Hanura Party. While the Democratic Party supports the Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono-Sylviana Murni ticket, Hanura backs the incumbent ticket of Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama and Djarot Saiful Hidayat.
KPU Jakarta head Sumarno has assured the public that Tina and co-moderator Eko Prasojo are free of any political affiliations, emphasizing that they had both signed the integrity pact.
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