Wati weighs in on the debate . . .

. . . and I sense a bit of ennui in her response.

I think Jokowi, as in previous debates, gave the more specific answers, but at times he implied that pretty complex problems could be resolved quickly—which is wishful thinking.

Prabowo as usual was inconsistent with his replies. He showed again that he will use whatever it takes to win, regardless of principles.  This debate showed his real character.

Honestly, in the beginning I thought he would change and become a decisive leader. But after analyzing his statements on different issues I really don't trust him. [Phew!  I was wondering when (or if) she would say that. . . ]

How come he criticized and blamed "leakages" while at the same time he took Iocals along during his campaign? Plus he chose Hatta as his running mate? [Wati is referring to a statement made by Prabowo that all the information regarding his military dismissal and allegations of human rights violations were “press leakages” that were just designed to hurt him.  Soon after, there appeared in the local and international media a poster of Prabowo standing in front of a microphone shaking a sanitary pad at the audience, saying “I used this to clean up leakages.”  Charming. And his running mate, no stranger to controversy, is a known blabbermouth.]

How come he said SBY  [Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, current president] has successfully practiced the right type of foreign policy diplomacy when his comments on the South China Sea we so dubious? In this regards please read JP today re Marty’s remarks.

[Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said he agreed with Jokowi’s position that Indonesia was not a claimant to the natural resource-rich South China Sea territory and therefore needed to be cautious in positioning itself amid the worsening regional conflict.  Marty also “tried diplomatically to articulate his understanding of the statement of . . . Prabowo Subianto, that Indonesia was a part of the overlapping sovereignty claims.”]

How come all of a sudden he praised his former father in law [Suharto] when in the past he blamed and made statement that he has nothing in common with that family except that he was once married to one of them.

He followed the adage "the end justify the means." You know, I admired President Soeharto very much and have empathy and sympathy for his tragic life.  [meaning that he led well at first but then faltered; democracy went out the window and corruption ruled the day.  He ended up ostracized and isolated from everyone—which was sort of what he did to Sukarno before him.]  And at times like this I really feel so sad because he is being used again as political commodity by his family.

Plus ca change, my friends . . . .

The 3rd debate: both the policy wonk and the platitudes-lover seem to overplay the nationalist card

I cannot wait to hear what Wati has to say about last night’s debate (the third—how time flies)  but in the meantime, the Jakarta Post, albeit pro-Jokowi, seems to feel that he did even better this time.

He seemed to man up in the foreign policy department, advocating diplomacy but stressing a tough-guy stance on external threats that rivaled Prabowo (and I do mean tough guy; his actual phrase was “I will seriously cause a rumble.”) 

He gave the nod Muslim supporters who’d been lukewarm concerning his ambivalent stance on religion by stating that he would support the establishment of a Palestinian state. And he displayed a degree of “foreign policy wonkiness” that played well with Jakarta elites as well as the younger crowd, while Prabowo stuck to the platitudes of nationalism and national prosperity.

 

And Jokowi (bless his little heart) told the audience that he would make resource conservation a priority.

Get me the smelling salts.

Yes, yes, we all know they say one thing and do another, but the actual words coming from lips is a BIG deal in this election, and hopefully puts the Aceh provincial government on notice that it may no longer be the big love-fest with the foreign extraction interests if he wins.

Which of course could make said interests pony up lots of anti-Jokowi campaign money in these last 2 weeks.  Hey. It’s what they’d do in the US.

Sigh.

Prabowo was a little more circumspect, saying that he promised to protect the country’s natural resources . . . from foreign control.  He’d allow their elimination . . . as long as it was Indonesia making the money.

Foreign affairs analyst Wiryono Sastrohandoyo said the two candidates attempted to be nationalistic in their views to woo voters, which could scare off foreign investors. “Bringing up this nationalistic sentiment will create fear among foreign investors,” he said.

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle’s (PDI-P) presidential candidate Joko “Jokowi” Widodo (R)gave an impressive performance during the third televised debate organized by the General Elections Commission (KPU) on international affairs and defense issues, two subjects considered strong suits for his rival, Gerindra Party’s Prabowo Subianto (L). The debate, which was moderated by an international law professor from the University of Indonesia (UI), Hikmahanto Juwana, focused on international affairs and national defense. JP/Jerry Adiguna

Jakarta Post Summaries (the sound eerily the same)

Prabowo Subianto
The foundation for our foreign affairs and defense is the prosperity of the nation. Foreign affairs will mean nothing if domestically we are weak. If we are poor, then we will not be highly regarded by other nations. Domestic conditions reflect the strength of our foreign policy. Indonesia should secure its national resources as too many of them are flowing overseas. We should improve our domestic economic strength. Indonesia does not want to have enemies; 1,000 friends are not enough but just one enemy is too many.

Joko “Jokowi” Widodo

The foundation of our foreign policy is to be “free and active”. This would be carried out with four strategies: Protect migrant workers; protect natural and maritime resources; improve productivity and competitiveness; and participate in improving regional and global security. Around 80 percent of our ambassadors’ time should be spent on marketing our products. The world’s geopolitics has shifted from the West to the East. This has created a greater chance for Indonesia to play a significant role.

read more: 

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/06/23/jokowi-wins-prabowo-s-turf.html

Wati Calls the Election . . .

Wati’s correspondence over the past few days has been rather despairing, but she’s perked up considerably since last night’s presidential debates, in which Jokowi apparently did well, while Prabowo . . . not so much.   

Going into the debates, Wati was thinking that she was one of the reported 40% “swing voters . . .“ until she heard Prabowo invoke the name of Sukarno for his own benefit :“And when in his speech Prabowo said "on behalf of Soekarno. . . : slip of the tongue? more likely of his spirit.  To me, this is proof that he believes that “the end justifies the means" ie.  at the lowest point  in a person’s integrity.”
 

Then she reported that Prabowo had received support from FPI, Front Pembela Islam/ Islamic Defenders Front, a truly charming paramilitary “religious” group that is so vile, thuggish and hate-based that nearly everyone in Indonesia wants them banned.   So, good on you, there, Prabowo.  However: think of what that would mean if he were elected. The Jakarta Post simultaneously printed an article called “Pluralism in Peril,” citing an invitation for political leaders to a  meeting in a mosque in Gedhe Kauman, Yogya “to urge the Muslim community to unite to fight against pluralism."  Because differing opinions require so much more silencing, don’t you know.

Watil also showed me an email from a friend who says “I had lunch with our mutual friend Bu Mara and was surprised when she said that she supports Prabowo. I immediately kept my big mouth shut! She assured us that P is a changed man, he is really passionate to take Indonesia to the next level (or the lower level, ya?). When asked about the rumor that he is courting Widyawati (the ex movie star) to be his wife, she said that's not true. She thinks that P will win. Gosh it is indeed scary. He is a good speaker though-- as I listened to his first speech after being confirmed as the presidential candidate. Jokowi on the other hand still trying to portray the rakyat (trying to show he’s a man of the people) and is too simple for a Capres/candidate.

So our hope is still dim.

So it was looking grim until the first debate, where Wati reported that “to my surprise Jokowi did very well. Not only in his answers, but also he and Jusef Kalla (running mate) wore black suits with red ties and wore no "pici" while Prabowo and Hatta Rahardja wore white (as in Muslim) shirts and pants with "pici."

Indonesia’s vice presidential candidate Hatta Rajasa (L) greets presidential candidate Joko Widodo (2nd L), while presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto (2nd R) greets vice presidential candidate Jusuf Kalla, before their presidential debate in Jakarta on June 9.    Reuters

“Jokowi looked sophisticated --far from being a "country bumpkin" like his opponents called him.

With confidence he elaborated his achievements as mayor in Solo and as governor in Jakarta.

Most important was when he stated that "Bhineka Tunggal Ika" or unity in diversity is FINAL, this could no longer be a matter for discussion as this was the foundation of our founding fathers when they fought and declared Indonesia’s independence.

He gave an example of this: when as Jkt governor he chose Susan, a Chinese and Christian woman to be a "lurah" in Lenteng Agung, whose majority of residents are Muslim.

There have been demonstrations and protests against his decision but he stood by it, as she is indeed a capable person.

Prabowo did poorly tonight. So as one of the 40% swing voters I might "ignore" JK’s sins and cast my vote for Jokowi...?!”

And there you have it!

See also the Wall Street Journal:

http://blogs.wsj.com/searealtime/2014/06/09/as-it-happens-indonesias-presidential-debate/

and the Jakarta Post:

http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2014/06/09/presidential-candidates-turn-heat-first-election-debate.html