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Ganjar says 'smart' voters support his free internet program
Presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo said those who will vote for him because of the free internet program are "smart" voters in a retort to rival candidate Prabowo Subianto who said the program was for "slow-brained" people.
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Presidential candidate and former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo (left) and vice presidential candidate Mahfud MD attend the last vice presidential election debate at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in Jakarta on Jan. 21, 2024. (AFP/Yasuyoshi Chiba)
Presidential candidate Ganjar Pranowo said he would provide free internet that would reach all groups in society if elected.
"This is our support for the grassroots people; they are the ones in need, they must receive the best facilities. Our friends with disabilities asked if there were any facilities [we could offer] that could make them equal to others. Insya Allah [God willing] we will provide [free internet] so they can be equal to us," said Ganjar during his campaigning in Sidoarjo, East Java, on Sunday, as quoted by Kumparan.
Ganjar said the free internet program could support the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through access to digitalization. The free internet facility, he added, would contribute to economic growth and the creative industry of the country.
The former Central Java governor said the people who voted for him for the free internet program were smart voters.
"Why do they choose free internet? They have the knowledge, they’re not slow. They’re smart, they are the people who can use the program well," said Ganjar.
"Our task is [to decide whether we] want free internet. For the program to be achieved, the condition is to win, correct? We must win, so we must consolidate all power," the presidential hopeful said.
Ganjar’s statement regarding the scope of his internet program was allegedly in response to rival candidate Prabowo Subianto, who mentioned Ganjar’s free internet program during a campaign event in Pontianak, West Kalimantan.
At that time, Prabowo said that those who asked for free internet rather than free food were those who were “slow-brained”, after which he proceeded to compare the urgency of having free internet and free lunches for children.
"Some say that lunch for children is less important. Rather, they say the internet is more important. I ask all of you, is it more important to eat or [to use] the internet?" said Prabowo on Saturday, as quoted by CNN Indonesia.
