Bali KPU Leaks Panellists for Second Debate of 2024 Bali Pilkada

Bali KPU Commissioner I Gede John Darmawan (photo: doc. Antara)

DENPASAR— The Bali General Election Commission (KPU) revealed the sub-themes for the second debate of the 2024 Bali Pilkada candidate pairs. KPU Bali Commissioner, I Gede John Darmawan, announced five sub-themes that will be the basis for compiling questions by the panelists, in accordance with the main theme of the debate: "Responding to the Dynamics of Regional Autonomy in Bali."

The second debate, scheduled for November 9, 2024 at the Bali Beach Convention Center, Sanur, Denpasar, at 19.00–21.00 WITA, will be broadcast live by Kompas TV Nasional. The following are the details of the five sub-themes in this second debate:

1. Central-Regional Relations

   The panelists for this sub-theme will come from constitutional law experts, focusing on the legality and constitutional aspects in regulating relations between the central and regional governments.

2. Regional Taxes and Levies

   For this sub-theme, panelists with a background in economics or public sector accounting will provide questions related to optimizing revenue through regional taxes and levies.

3. Collaborative Governance (Pentahelix)

   The panelists who will formulate the questions come from experts in economics, public administration, or public policy. They will discuss governance that involves collaboration between various sectors.

4. Regional Revenue Innovation

   In this sub-theme, panelists with a background in development economics will ask questions related to innovation and strategies in increasing Regional Original Income (PAD).

5. Human Resources Development (HRD)

   This sub-theme will be led by panelists who are experts in the field of education, discussing human resource development as the main capital for development in Bali.

New Panelists and Confidentiality Maintenance Process

John ensured that the panelists who will be involved are different from the seven panelists who attended the first debate. To maintain the independence and focus of the panelists, their identities are kept confidential to prevent intervention from outside parties. Meanwhile, the drafting team that compiles the debate flow remains the same, with changes to the concept of the debate location that will be adjusted to a larger venue.

The second debate will certainly use a podium, according to the evaluation of the first debate which was deemed inadequate without a podium. "The podium will still be there, to provide convenience to the candidate pairs in arranging paper and microphones," said John, Sunday, November 3. The use of the podium also aims to avoid interference with wireless microphone signals.

Both candidate pairs will be given paper containing vision and mission material, as well as blank paper to write down questions. It is not allowed to bring cheat sheets, to maintain the originality and spontaneity of the answers.

The moderator for this debate will come from Kompas TV. Technical preparations, including the position of the podium and location arrangements, have been prepared so that the debate runs smoothly. This second debate is an important part of the Bali Pilkada campaign, and is expected to be a place for a constructive exchange of ideas for the community.

The 2024 Bali Pilkada itself features tight competition between three candidate pairs, each trying to gain support with superior ideas and programs related to regional autonomy and strategic issues in Bali.