Prabowo, who first spoke during the second segment of the debate, stated that he would downstream the industrial sector by processing raw materials into end products. He noted that the Indonesian government under Joko Widodo had focused only on building infrastructure, and as a result, the country's industry was lagging.
Taking up where Prabowo left off, Sandiaga stated that strong business and investment require to be aided by certainty in the law. “The certainty in law will help our trade and investment flourish,” Sandiaga noted.
Responding to Prabowo’s criticism with regard to infrastructure, the incumbent presidential candidate, Joko Widodo, said that it was part of the first stage of his economic development plan.
“Our infrastructure will be linked to industrial areas, tourism spots, and following the constructions, we will further empower human resources, as well as support technological development and innovation,” Jokowi said.
The fifth debate revolves around economic and social welfare issues, finance and investment, and trade and industry. It will be the last round of a series of debates leading up to the 2019 presidential election.
During his opening speech, Prabowo and his running mate Sandiaga Uno also stated that increasing the number of working fields and decreasing the prices of staple foods are key to improving Indonesia’s economy.
Prabowo, during his campaign in Surabaya, East Java, on April 12, promised his supporters that he would raise the country’s economic growth to reach “double digits”. Under Jokowi’s administration, Indonesia’s growth has lagged by five percent, he said.
Apart from the stagnant economy, Prabowo was also vocal over the country’s debt that has increased by 69 percent to Rp4,418.3 trillion in 2018. However, the government, under the incumbent’s ruling, revealed that Indonesia’s debt ratio to GDP was relatively healthy at 29.89 percent last year.
The General Elections Commission held five presidential debates covering a vast variety of national issues, including law, human rights, corruption and terrorism during the first round.
The second round of debates was attended only by vice presidential candidates Ma'ruf Amin and Sandiaga Uno and focused on energy, infrastructure, natural resources, food stock, and the environment.
Education, health, manpower issues and social and culture were part of the third debate, while the fourth one revolved around ideology, security, and international relations.
Indonesia will hold its first ever presidential and legislative elections simultaneously on April 17. The incumbent presidential candidate Joko Widodo who teams up with Ma’ruf Amin will compete against the opposition Prabowo Subianto and his running mate Sandiaga Uno.
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Reporter: Azizah Fitriyanti, Genta Tenri
Editor: Gusti Nur Cahya Aryani
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
