Presidential candidates Joko Widodo (left) and Prabowo Subianto shake hands during a debate among candidates in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Feb 17, 2019. (Source: EPA-EFE)Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesianpresidential candidates Joko Widodo and his challenger Prabowo Subianto onFebruary 17 spared over the issues of energy, environment, infrastructure, food,and natural resources in their second debate held two months ahead of thepresidential polls.
Regarding the environment, incumbent 57-year-old President Widodo reiteratedthat the government has proven its efforts in addressing forest fires with 11firms fined for their violations. Contaminated rivers are being detoxified aswell, he said.
Food security was touched upon when the debate moved to a question and answerformat, during which President Widodo described the food reserve as the government’stop priority to ensuring food security in anticipation of natural disasters,lean harvests, and limited rice imports.
Indonesia has been able to provide 21 million tonnes of rice by itself since1984, with the figure climbing to 33 million tonnes in 2018, he said.
Pointing out some of the government’s weaknesses, 67-year-old Subianto saidthat more efforts are needed to protect local farmers and provide food for allpeople at affordable prices.
As food is key to deciding a nation’s success, Indonesia must meet the domesticdemand for food on its own without relying on imports, he noted, adding that hewill work to ensure food sufficiency and rational food prices if he is electedfor the 2019-2024 term.
He also criticised the current government for their inefficient approach to infrastructureas “infrastructure is for the people, rather than people for theinfrastructure” and “infrastructure is not a monument and it must bebeneficial”.
He cited the light rapid transit (LRT)network in Palembang, South Sumatra, and Kertajati International Airport inMajalengka Regency in West Java as poorly targeted infrastructure.
Moreover, Subianto pledged to hand outstrict punishments to any firm that causes harm to the environment. The reorganisationof the Ministry of Environment and Forestry is part of the measure to preventviolations of environmental laws, he said.
Although nearly 3,000 security staff were arranged for the presidential debate,an explosion took place in a parking lot that was attached to the Gelora BungKarno stadium complex, sending hundreds of people watching the event scramblingfor safety. There were no casualties or asset damage reported.
The following debates will be organised on March 17 and 30 and April 13.–VNA
VNA
