Jokowi Watches The Vice Presidential Debate At Home: No Wejangan For Gibran

President Joko Widodo gave a statement to reporters after visiting Waru Market, Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, Thursday (21/12/2023). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo hopes that the debate for the vice president candidate held by the General Election Commission (KPU) of the Republic of Indonesia, on Friday night will be crowded.

"Yes, I hope the debate will be crowded later," the President told reporters after attending the National Seminar on the Outlook Indonesia Economy, in Jakarta, Friday.

The debate will be followed by three vice presidential candidates, namely vice presidential candidate number one Muhaimin Iskandar, number two Gibran Rakabuming Raka who is Jokowi's son, and number three Mahfud Md.

When asked whether he gave advice or advice to Gibran before undergoing a debate, the President admitted that he had never met his son.

"Yes, I want to debate, please debate. Yes, I've never met you. I've never met you," he said.

"No (no advice). What advice? Debate, yes debate, that's all," added Jokowi.

The President admitted that he would witness the vice presidential debate tonight from home. "Yes, at home. It can be in Jakarta (Istana), it can be in Bogor (Istana), it can be at (home) Solo," said the Head of State.

The Indonesian General Election Commission (KPU) held a debate between the two presidential and vice presidential candidates for the 2024 General Election, which was attended by three vice presidential candidates, at the Senayan Jakarta Convention Center (JCC), Friday, starting at 19.00 WIB.

This debate is the first debate for a vice presidential candidate.

The theme of the vice presidential debate this time is the economy, which concerns the people's economy and the digital economy; finance; tax investment; trade, APBN and APBD management; infrastructure; and urban.

The first vice presidential debate will be guided by two moderators, namely Alfito Deannova and Liviana Cherlisa. There are 11 panelists as a team to compile questions for the vice presidents.

The KPU has received registration for three presidential and vice presidential pairs. Each of them has also received serial numbers, namely Anies Baswedan-Muhaimin Iskandar number one, Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka number two, and Ganjar Pranowo-Mahfud Md number three.

The election campaign period is set from November 28, 2023 to February 10, 2024, while the voting is scheduled for February 14, 2024.