Live debate gives public glimpse into candidates

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesians got their first glimpse of a "presidential debate" on Wednesday when Megawati Soekarnoputri and running mate Hasyim Muzadi engaged Amien Rais and his running mate Siswono Yudohusodo in a General Elections Commission-organized dialog.

The event, however, failed to live up to its billing with no showdown between the candidates. Nevertheless, the event did manage to lure the usually media-shy Megawati.

According to Victor Menayang, a prominent communications expert from the University of Indonesia, Amien and Siswono were clearly the better side in the dialog.

"They communicated well and answered questions well. The pair of Amien and Siswono seems to have knowledge about what they're saying, more so than their counterparts.

"It's obvious that the Amien-Siswono pairing was well prepared. On the other hand, it was quite the opposite for Mega. It does not seem that her campaign team provided her with enough material for this," Victor said.

Overall, Victor said, the event was a success and should mark an important date in the country's political history.

Some 300 people were in attendance at the dialog, which was the first of a planned two-day event. The remaining three candidates are expected to engage each other on Thursday, in a last effort to give themselves a boost for the July 5 election.

Thursday marks the last day of the month-long presidential campaign.

While millions of Indonesians watched the dialog at home, others gathered with friends to enjoy the event in a more festive atmosphere.

At the Front Row cafe in the Taman Ria complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, 60 to 70 people cheered on their candidates. There was a great deal of enthusiasm during the 90-minute event, which was shown on a large-screen TV.

"This kind of thing is helpful, especially to those who are still undecided about who to vote for," said Eko, 26.

At the Bebek Bali Restaurant, also in the Taman Ria complex, 51-year-old Alfred came with friends to witness the event.

"This is interesting because the two are of contradictory personalities. While Amien feels like talking anytime and everywhere, Mega is completely the opposite; she is like the queen of silence," he said.

In Semarang, Central Java, most people chose to stay at home to watch the dialog.

A group of supporters of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), however, watched the debate at the party's Central Java office on Jl. Siliwangi.

They were eager to see how PDI-P leader Megawati Soekarnoputri, who is seeking reelection, would fare against Amien.

"I am glad and proud that Megawati finally appeared in public and shared her ideas without relying on a text," said Eko Setiadi.

In Jayapura, Papua, most residents also watched the dialog in their own homes.

Budi Setianto, director of the Institute for Civil Strength, criticized both presidential candidates, saying they lacked knowledge about eastern Indonesia.

"They failed to address the problems facing communities in the eastern areas of Indonesia. They failed to provide us with ideas on how the government should address poverty in our region, for example," he said.