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Central Java's Cilacap election debate turns into comedy show
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People attend the Cilacap regent debate organized by the Cilacap General Elections Commission on Sunday. (JP/Agus Maryono)
T
he official Cilacap regent election debate organized by the Cilacap General Elections Commission (KPU) in Central Java turned into a comedy show as the three candidate pairs used the event to mock each other instead of elaborating on their programs to the audience.
Three candidate pairs – incumbent Tatto Suwarto-Syamsul, Tofik Hidayat-Faiqoh and Fran Lukman-Bambang – will run in the simultaneous regional elections on Feb. 15.
"They [candidate pairs] were asked to explain their visions and missions, but they looked more like teachers lecturing their students instead,” said Hanifah Muyasaroh, a lecturer at Imam Ghozali University Cilacap on Sunday.
(Read also: Erratic weather hampers delivery of election material to Karimunjawa)
In the Q and A session, Tatto, for instance, said that Fran was his senior and asked him for a suggestion. Fran responded by saying the Cilacap people needed a leader like himself.
"Pak Tatto said that I was like a teacher to him. Teachers surely know more about how to lead Cilacap," Fran said.
In other sessions, Faiqoh mocked Tatto for failing to create a better Cilacap. Tatto is Faiqoh’s uncle.
"Dear handsome om [uncle] Tatto, you’ve been in the office for 10 years and it’s a failure. It’s time for a new leader. Limitless power can turn people into dictators,” said Faiqoh.
Tofik, who is running with Faiqoh, added, "As a good teacher, Pak Fran should give opportunities to his students to start a career."
Fran-Bambang responded with comments that Taufiq-Faiqoh should not spread hatred. (trw)
