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.

The second vice presidential debate highlighted the themes of sustainable development, natural and mineral resources, environment, energy, food, and agrarian affairs, as well as indigenous and village communities. This theme is very crucial in responding climate change that threatens the survival of humanity in various parts of the world, including in Indonesia. Food security, agriculture and the quality of human life are at stake, as for natural resources and the environment issues should be managed wisely.

 

The second debate also discussed mining, land distribution, and greenflation. Each vice presidential candidate has delivered their ideas and policies that will be taken if they are elected as Indonesian VP. There is something a little intriguing about the issue of 'greenflation' raised by one of the vice presidential candidates at the debate which in turn became public discourse. It seems that the greenflation issue in Indonesia is somewhat different from what is happening abroad. In Indonesia, greenflation has a tendency to deal with green commodities, namely agricultural products. However, the greenflation issue abroad is triggered by an increase in goods prices related to the green transition.

 

Muhaimin Iskandar emphasized the importance of ethics in every policy making, especially those concerning the lives of many people. Meanwhile, Gibran Rakabuming Raka explained that he will revoke all investor permits if they are proven to have violated natural resource and environmental regulations. Mahfud MD explained that all activities must refer to the article in the 1945 Constitution which states that all potential resources in Indonesia must be used for the benefits of the Indonesian people. He observed the needs to strengthen law enforcement against violators of the natural resources and the environment.

 

Whatever promises, ideas, proposals and innovations are delivered by the vice presidential candidates, we are waiting for them after the inauguration in October 2024, especially, the first 100 days in office which usually become public talks. All vice presidential candidates have different capacities and abilities. Besides, each vice presidential candidate has strengths and weaknesses that are worth paying attention to, especially their track record and leadership. According to the latest survey results, the electability of the three presidential and vice presidential candidates has fluctuated in line with their success in the presidential election debate. The fourth presidential election debate which is also the second VP debate is a crucial stage in the campaign, especially for the VP candidates because it is the last opportunity for them to gain public sympathy before general election day on February 14, 2024.

One of the themes regarding national defense and security became more interesting because one of the presidential candidates was the Minister of Defence, Prabowo Subianto, who is still in office. Candidate number 2 received many questions regarding national security, defense equipment systems, and other supporting equipment. Some observers say that the defense and security aspect is too dominant. Thus, the substance of other themes was somewhat neglected to be explored and discussed.

 

Responding to the third debate, Indonesian president Joko Widodo hoped there would be an improvement in the debate model format for the next session to be more effective with the focus on the vision, mission, as well as policies that will be adopted by each candidate. Besides, there should be rules to prohibit attacking presidential candidates personally.

 

After the third session of the debate, the successful teams for the three presidential and vice-presidential candidates claimed that their candidates were better. Regardless of how great, intelligent, careful, and straightforward the candidates are, there is still room to be evaluated by each presidential candidate. So, they don't get caught up in subjective arguments. Therefore, the debate format should be revised and perfected according to the input from relevant observers after the third session of the debate. However, it is natural to exchange sarcasm with fellow candidates when criticizing the presented policies and visions. The main task of the success team is to provide the latest input and correct information to their candidates to further improve and enrich their leaders' insight, knowledge, and vision in the arena of public debate.

 

Moreover, the Indonesian General Election Commission must also take a firm stance regarding the incident where several members of the successful team of one of the presidential candidates approached the moderator on the arena stage. It should be put into consideration to maintain the neutrality and independence of the moderator. However, whatever happens in the remaining two debates on January 14 and February 4, it is hoped that they will be better and more insightful, especially since the themes will be more related to social, cultural, and environmental aspects. It’s a very interesting theme if discussed politely, modestly, and meaningfully.