In the debate, the presidential candidates explained the current situation regarding all aspects of the given themes. Almost all candidates touched on the problems of budget leakage and corruption, inequality, and lack of justice in the administration of people's welfare. They also offer programs and ideas to improve the welfare of the people, such as auditing the ongoing system, especially in the education sector, improving family welfare and life quality by providing more sufficient health workers, and campaigns on healthy living.
Last Sunday's presidential candidate debate, to a certain extent, seemed different from the previous debates which were full of noisy exchanges of sarcasm and critical exchanges of ideas as well as crowds from supporters of the three candidates. Yesterday's final debate took place in a warm and cheerful atmosphere. Even though there were actions criticizing policies, they argued warmly and filled with a sense of brotherhood. All candidates support each other's policies which are supposed to be pro-people. Regarding disability issues, all presidential candidates agreed to pay more attention to these people by providing wider opportunities to be creative and empowering them to work as well as giving given easy access to work.
However, according to observers, the presidential candidates' debate still left a number of things uncovered. For instance, there are problems related to fulfilling people's welfare, namely the lack of individual basic needs fulfillment. The three presidential candidates have not explained their plans and ideas to stabilize the prices of necessities and increase purchasing power and the housing sector. It remains homework for future Indonesian presidents. Besides, social health insurance and old-age insurance schemes must also be improved.
Regardless of the strengths and weaknesses of the presidential candidates, it is hoped that what has been explained in these 5 debates will be able to provide sufficient information about the candidates and their respective ideas whom people are going to vote for on Wednesday next week. At least from the presidential and vice presidential debates, voters can pin their hopes for a better Indonesia in the future and progress according to the presentations and promises of the candidates. After the end of the presidential and vice presidential debate, the campaign period which began on November 28, 2023, would end on February 10, 2024. It will be continued by a pre-election silence period on February 11-13, and the election day will take place on February 14, 2024.
Hopefully, the 2024 general elections will be peaceful and generate positive results, with the election of the president and vice president, as well as representatives of the people who are truly elected on the needs and desires of the people.
