"Please, secure the ballot booths!" Prabowo stated while addressing several thousand supporters, who enthusiastically listened to his speech in Batam, Riau Islands Province's capital city, on Wednesday.
This founder of the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party also encouraged his loyalists to continue to work hard ahead of the convening of the presidential race on April 17, or 34 days from today.
Prabowo then urged his loyalists to convince their family members, neighbors, colleagues, and the people, at large, whom they come across at any place, to elect the Subianto-Sandiaga Uno pair.
Subianto, who has selected Uno, the former deputy governor of Jakarta and businessman-turned-politician, as his running mate in competing with his tough contender Joko Widodo, further expressed belief that his loyalists cannot be bribed.
He urged all community members to not be easily influenced by the practices of money politics ahead of the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections, emphasizing that "not all Indonesians can be bribed or 'purchased.'"
Subianto tendered an apology if several of his supporters, including housewives, had to face the hot, sunny weather.
In connection with the 2019 presidential election, the General Elections Commission (KPU) has prepared five rounds of presidential debates for the Jokowi-Amin and Subianto-Uno pairs.
The first and second presidential debates were held respectively on Jan 17 and Feb 17, 2019, during which the two presidential candidates expressed their views and perspectives on selected issues, such as law, corruption, terrorism, environment, and infrastructure.
The presidential debates, broadcast live by several television channels, are expected to help some 192 million eligible voters, who will participate in this democratic process, to become well-informed on the two pairs' capacity and capability.
Empowered with sufficient information about the candidates, they will be able to vote rationally. Whoever wins the upcoming presidential election, Indonesia will have a new pair of capable president and vice president.
Reporting by Yuniati Jannatun Naim, Rahmad Nasution
Translator: Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Gusti Nur Cahya Aryani
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
