Political Experts Call Prabowo Not Necessarily Mastering Third Debate

Prabowo Subianto (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - Political expert at Andalas University, Padang Asrinaldi, said that the debate stage for the three presidential and vice presidential candidates was not necessarily fully controlled by Prabowo even though the theme was raised was related to defense and security.

"Will this debate raise the power of leverage to Prabowo, depending on the way he explains it. After all I believe in the rhetoric of a president, his idea regarding defense policy also illustrates his mastery," Asrinaldi said as quoted by Antara, Sunday.

Asrinaldi admits that the theme of defense and security is a field that is closely related to Prabowo Subianto, who has a military background and serves as current defense minister.

However, the issue of defense and security, according to him, continues to develop, not only regarding the issue of the main weapon system (alutsista), but also the defense system related to technology.

"So, not only talking about conventional defense systems. I believe and believe that other candidate pairs, 01 and 03, will also study well, including the theme of this related debate," he said.

In addition, Prabowo's character and style while on the debate stage also had a big influence on the leverage of his electability after the debate.

According to him, the rhetoric of a presidential candidate when conveying ideas related to defense policies in public is a picture of his mastery of problems.

"Well, if his answer or his explanation was the same as the first debate, I think it would be a problem and would not be a leverage for him to show that he is mastering security defense policies," he said.

If Prabowo's way of communication and rhetoric in the third debate does not change and is the same as his role in the first debate, according to him, the potential for voters to be hesitant to leave candidate pair number 2 will be wide open.

"On the other hand, if you can explain well, not emotionally, and show that as a presidential candidate, you will certainly get added value for Prabowo because he does explain how the security defense policy will be," he said.

Previously, the KPU had set a schedule for the 2024 presidential election participants' debate. The entire series of debates will be held in Jakarta in succession on December 12, 2023, December 22, 2023, January 7, 2024, and February 4, 2024.

The presidential candidate will be held three times, while the vice presidential debate is twice. However, the candidate pair must attend the five debate opportunities.