The three candidates for vice presidency will meet again on Sunday, January 21, 2024 for a second round of debate organized by the General Elections Commission (KPU), with each of them taking a different path in their preparations.
Vice Presidential Candidate number 2 Gibran Rakabuming Raka is reported to repeat the strategy he utilized in their first encounter, raising questions to his rivals while quoting certain tricky abbreviated specifically associated with the topics discussed.
Such a strategy was conveyed by Deputy Treasurer of the Prabowo-Gibran National Election Campaign Team (TKN), Bobby Gafur Umar, on the sidelines of the Presidential Candidate Dialogue with Kadin on January 10, 2024.
Bobby defended that the use of abbreviated terms is common that it should be natural for Gibran to use them in a public forum, like the vice presidential debate.
“I think we see it normatively. The previous debate was about general sharia economy, if I have ever read it,” said Bobby as quoted by Liputan6.com.
He was referring to SGIE, an abbreviation for State of Global Islamic Economy, which Gibran quoted while raising a question to Vice Presidential Candidate number 1 Muhaimin Iskandar in the debate on December 22, 2023.
Bobby ensured that the abbreviation that Gibran would use in the second vice presidential debate would be those which are familiar to the public. He cited the abbreviation for net zero emission or NZE, which he said is commonly known by the public.
Zulkifli Hasan, Chairman of the National Mandate Party (PAN), which is part of the Prabowo-Gibran Coalition, ensured that Gibran would be ready for the debate.
“Oh, Gibran is okay. Mas Gibran is just normal. There is no such special preparation (for the second debate),” Zulkifli told reporters at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta on Thursday.
Presidential candidate number 3 Ganjar Pranowo said that he and his running mate would give a surprise in the second Vice Presidential Debate, while citing the costumes he and Mafhud wore in the last presidential debate on January 7, 2024.
“Surprise? Oh there is, just wait,” said Ganjar briefly on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Secretary General of the Indonesian Party of Struggle (PDI-P) Hasto Kristiyanto said Mahfud Md had been visiting his potential constituents ahead of the second vice presidential debate.
Hasto said, Mahfud wanted to see concrete problems in the grassroots related to the debate themes, including sustainable development, natural resources, environment, energy, food, agrarian economy, indigenous peoples and village development.
“Of course, Prof. Mahfud is preparing for the debate by going to the grassroots and looking directly at concrete problems faced by the people, so that his ideas will be down to earth,” he said on Monday.
Hasto added that as Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, the upcoming vice presidential debate would benefit Mahfud, given that themes of the debate would require complete understanding of law matters as a foundation.
Separately, former Vice Jusuf Kalla expressed his confidence on vice presidential candidate number 1, Muhaimin “Cak Imin” Iskandar, whom he believed would be performing well in the upcoming debate.
“Cak Imin’s capacity is unquestionable, we don’t need to give him input. Let him learn, he is a former Deputy House of Representative Speaker, a former minister, do you still want him to be taught again,” said Kalla.
Kalla, who is also Chairman of the Indonesian Mosque Council (DMI), believed that Muhaimin could catch up with the dynamics in the second debate and would exhibit an excellent performance.
Presidential candidate number 1, Anies Baswedan, concurred that Muhaimin did not need a mentor because he already understood the condition and mastered the debate materials.
“Cak Imin does not need to be mentored, Cak Imin is ready for the debate,” Anies said.
