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Anies, Ganjar quiz Prabowo on women's rights, voters intelligence in final debate
Nearly 205 million people are eligible to cast their ballots in the February 14 vote that will determine the successor to popular two-term President Joko Widodo, who is barred from running to lead the country.
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Presidential candidate and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan (2nd left), vice presidential candidate Muhaimin Iskandar (left), presidential candidate and Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto (2nd right), vice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka (third left), presidential candidate and former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo (third right) and vice presidential candidate Mahfud MD react on the stage during the last presidential election debate at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in Jakarta on February 4, 2024. (AFP/Yasuyoshi Chiba)
Presidential front runner Prabowo Subianto drew flak in his final debate with election rivals Sunday over issues from women's rights to remarks about voters' intelligence, as they battle to run the world's third-largest democracy.
Nearly 205 million people are eligible to cast their ballots in the February 14 vote that will determine the successor to popular two-term President Joko Widodo, who is barred from running to lead the country.
Third-time candidate and current defence minister Subianto is ahead in opinion polls, widening the gap since choosing Jokowi's eldest son Gibran Rakabuming Raka as his running mate last year.
But in the last of three debates he was criticised by former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan and former Central Java governor Ganjar Pranowo, who according to polls are neck and neck for a potential second-round runoff vote against Prabowo.
Ganjar criticised Prabowo for last month suggesting people who wanted free internet instead of free lunches -- a key policy of the defence chief -- were not intelligent.
"Which is more important, free internet or free food for those who are struggling, for the poor? That's what I meant to say," said Prabowo.
Anies questioned him about rates of violence against women under the current government.
"The level of violence against women is extremely high... from catcalling to physical violence," said Anies.
"All of it must be dealt with firmly."
Prabowo said he would do more to protect women and support women's rights NGOs if elected.
Anies also appeared to accuse the government of increasing social aid before election day to win over lower-income voters.
"Social aid is a help for those who accept it, not for those who give it," he said.
After appearing to support his son and Prabowo, Jokowi has been widely criticised for trying to create a political dynasty in a country long known for its nepotistic politics.
Based on a survey conducted between Jan 10 and 16, 48.6 percent of voters polled supported Prabowo, polling company Indikator Politik Indonesia said.
The number of his supporters increased having been unchanged at around 45.8 percent in the two previous surveys by Indikator.
