TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Candidates lower tension in final debate
Anies and Ganjar might have realized that the explosive third debate was "counterproductive" for their campaign and Prabowo could benefit from “sympathy bump” from public.
Change Size
Presidential candidates Anies Baswedan, Prabowo Subianto and Ganjar Pranowo along with their running mates, Muhaimin Iskandar, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is the eldest son of Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi“ Widodo, and Mahfud MD respectively hold hands before a group photo after a televised debate ahead of the general election at the Jakarta Convention Center in Jakarta,, February 4, 2024. ( Reuters/Willy Kurniawan)
With voting day just 10 days away, the 2024 presidential candidates struck a more conciliatory tone in their final televised debate on Sunday, as they addressed issues of education, health, human resources, culture, information technology, social welfare and policy inclusiveness.
The fifth electoral debate of the campaign season, held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in Central Jakarta, was the third and final such encounter of presidential candidates Anies Baswedan, Prabowo Subianto and Ganjar Pranowo before voters go the ballot boxes on Feb. 14.
Unlike the previous two presidential debates, which featured tense and sometimes heated exchanges between the candidates, the final debate saw front-runner Prabowo regularly praise Anies’ proposals and give nods to many of Ganjar’s proposals, from the realm of education to the protection of migrant workers.
Prabowo said he “very much” agreed with Anies when the latter said educators were key to achieving the country’s education goals and that he would seek to accelerate teacher certification, employ temporary teachers on government contracts and provide scholarships for their children.
“It’s no wonder, as he used to be education minister,” Prabowo said.
Ganjar found common ground with Anies as well, emphasizing the need to improve teachers’ welfare and ensure inclusivity in the national education system. Anies responded by thanking Prabowo and Ganjar for agreeing with him.
Read also: LIVE BLOG: 2024 election debate, the final round
