Part Of State Strategy, Alutsista Affairs Don't Need To Be Revealed In The Presidential Candidate Debate

Russian-made fighter Sukhoi is owned by Indonesia. (Wikimedia Commons)

JAKARTA The three presidential candidates are expected not to be provoked to reveal the strategy and capabilities of the state's defense equipment in the third debate of the 2024 presidential election on Defense, Security, International Relations and Geopolitics.

This is because military affairs, especially defense equipment, are part of a state strategy that does not need to be exposed too widely. The state must build defense equipment capabilities without the need for fanfare, especially by presidential and vice-presidential candidates who will take a policy in the next five years.

The weapons equipment should be something secret. It's enough for the grand strategy. For example, we want to strengthen the sea, land or air dimensions. There is no need to discuss too much detail how many planes you want to buy, how many submarines to buy, "said HI observer at Jember University, Agus Trihartono.

If we talk about how many weapons, other countries will definitely get ready too. There is a security dilemma phenomenon, knowing our country is adding weapons, neighbors will also join," he continued.

He hopes that the three presidential candidates will also echo soft power in this third debate. The reason is, Indonesia has a lot of wealth to sell in the international arena, ranging from culture, culinary, art, and others.

"I hope this soft power issue is mentioned, because when will this be discussed by the future leader of this country, while the theme is also related to international relations. Once again I say, I am not saying that hard power is not important, hard power is important, but soft power also really needs to be considered for Indonesian foreign politics in the future," said Agus.

As is known, the debate between the three presidential candidates with the theme Defense, Security, International Relations and Geopoliticals will be held on Sunday, January 7, 2024 night at Istora Senaya, Jakarta.