Indonesia's presidential candidates in fourth debate
Updated
Indonesia's vice presidential candidates short on substance in the fourth televised debate ahead of presidential elections in a weeks time. The debate was moderated by the Chair of the Indonesian Medical Association and focused on health, education and the environment. Taking part were three vice presidential candidates - former central bank governor, Boediono, running with incumbent President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono; and two former generals Prabowo and Wiranto, running on the Megawati and Jusuf Kalla tickets respectively.
Presenter: Sen Lam
Speakers:Wimar Witoelar, Indonesian commentator and former presidential advisor
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WITOELAR: No, well it was an interesting debate or discussion, issues were not addressed. It was again a display of personalities and that's the interesting part of the debate.
LAM: So what was it about the debate that you found so interesting?
WITOELAR: Well, it's because each displayed their characteristics, Wiranto when asked about how we should overcome the problems of health education, he said one thing is for sure we have to find a radical breakthrough and we have to do it the sooner the better. This is their campaign slogan and colour and Wiranto is the sooner the better. So he didn't say what they should do, but he said the sooner the better. And General Prabowo who was head of the special forces said that well he gave a utopian view that we should mobilise all resources to supply support for the people etc, etc. and it was so utopian that the press is full of jokes about his speech. But, Yudhoyono gave the interesting report suggest that Prabowo is living in dreams and that is an interesting retort that Prabowo is living in dreams. And that is interesting that a mild man like Boediono, Central Bank Governor and very non physical person should speak out so truthfully and even rudely against a General, whom people would have feared ten years ago and that's a sign of the times.
LAM: The personalities aside, do you think that the voters mind that these vice presidential candidates certainly Prabowo and Wiranto, that they are so short on policy detail?
WITOELAR: Well, I cannot speak for all the voters, that would be my own view but surprisingly, they still have votes. At least their tickets have votes, although they are quite minuscule compared to what the pollsters say SBY and Yudhoyono have rights now. They do have some support, because well even in your country or in any other country, people who are totally senseless do have their share of political support. But I am glad that it is not of the degree that will cause any surprises in the election and at this moment, my own personal view is we should just be nice to these people that if they lose, they will not lose their temper, because that's the only threat we are in, especially people look at what's happening in Iran. There is obviously no parallel, but still people are just a bit vaguely worried that should there be a landslide, that they losers might break out in a tantrum. So at this moment, people who are fearful of these two Generals are holding their breath and being patient because if they lose in the democratic election, that's a very total victory, it's better than any fire or anything, because they would lose access finally.
LAM: That's a very valid point, but already the presidential contender, Megawati is warning that the PDIP will be watching the outcome like with hawk like eyes. Do you think that the PDIP could be trusted to hold onto the peace, if you like, if they lose the election?
WITOELAR: It is a not a matter of trusting the PDIP, it's trusting the majority of people to stand firm on the desire to keep the peace. And there is that sign. There are slogans that say, 'Whoever loses, don't get angry'. That is does not seem to be directed at anyone, but everybody knows who the losers are probably going to be and that those losers are entitled to get angry. If you think about hawk eye you have seen in Wimbledon, that many times when hawk eye is used, it is to the detriment of the challenger.
