Addressing an open campaign at the Ahmad Kirang field in Mamuju District, Central Sulawesi Province, on Thursday, Jokowi asked his supporters to persuade the people at large to exercise their political rights.
"I call on all the people, including the residents of West Sulawesi Province, to cast their votes on April 17," he said, recalling that he had gained 74 percent of votes in West Sulawesi Province in the 2014 Presidential Elections.
Jokowo, who has chosen Ma'ruf Amin, a Muslim preacher, to be his running mate to challenge the Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno pair in the upcoming presidential race, expressed his desire to secure more votes in West Sulawesi.
He also appealed to the entire nation to maintain national unity despite the fact that they may have different political preferences.
Before meeting his loyalists in Mamuju, West Sulawesi, the incumbent president was in the East Kalimantan city of Balikpapan to conduct an open campaign. He was accompanied by his wife, Iriana, and Head of the Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin pair's National Campaign Team Erick Thohir.
In connection with the 2019 presidential election, the General Election Commission (KPU) has organized five rounds of presidential debates for the Jokowi-Amin and Subianto-Uno pairs.
The first and second presidential debates were held on January 17 and February 17, 2019, respectively, during which the two presidential candidates expressed their views and perspectives on selected issues, such as law, corruption, terrorism, environment, and infrastructure.
The third debate, which took place on March 17, highlighted educational, employment, health, as well as social and cultural issues, while the fourth round, due to be held on March 30, will focus on international and ideological issues.
The presidential debates, broadcast live by several television channels, are expected to help some 192 million eligible voters better understand the capacity and capability of the two pairs.
Empowered with sufficient information about the candidates, they will be able to vote rationally, and despite which pair wins the upcoming presidential election, Indonesia will see a new and capable president and vice president.
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Amirullalh, Rahmad Nasution
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
