TKN Considers Defense Minister's Status To Profit Prabowo At The Presidential Candidate Debate

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the National Campaign Team (TKN) Akbar Himawan Buchari assessed that Prabowo Subianto's background as Minister of Defense would be profitable in the third presidential candidate (candidate) debate.

"The material is about defense, security, and geopolitical. I think that is Pak Prabowo's job as Minister of Defense," Akbar said as quoted by ANTARA, Thursday, December 28.

According to Akbar, Prabowo has made various preparations ahead of the third debate such as preparing programs that have been running while serving as defense minister.

In addition, Akbar believes Prabowo can get through the third debate easily because the General Chair of the Gerinda Party has a myriad experience in the military world.

"We believe that Pak Prabowo has been very prepared for this, has done this, has implemented it, and will be given in the future," he said.

Regarding Prabowo's emotional appearance when facing the first debate, Akbar considered it only character.

He believes Prabowo will perform even better in the third debate later.

"We all have their respective characters. Anyway, we'll wait for the surprise later," said Akbar.

Previously, Andalas University political expert Padang Asrinaldi assessed that Prabowo Subianto's presidential candidate would receive a lot of criticism in the third debate with the theme defense, security, internal relations, and geopolitical.

"In fact, Prabowo will face a critical attitude from panelists and other pairs of candidates," said Asrinaldi when contacted by ANTARA in Jakarta, Wednesday (27/12).

According to Asrinaldi, other candidate pairs will criticize all of Prabowo's policies while serving as Minister of Defense.

Several policies, continued Asrinaldi, may be criticized, namely the procurement of main weapons systems (alutsista) to defense strategies that Prabowo has implemented.

He reminded Prabowo to be careful in responding to every criticism so as not to backfire for himself.