JAKARTA, KOMPAS – Observers say that the candidates did not use the second round of the 2019 presidential debates effectively to convince swing voters.
Despite many saying that the second debate round between presidential candidates Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto was more interesting than the first round, observers have said that the two candidates did not use the occasion effectively to convince swing voters. Swing voters were more critical nowadays, so they needed more concrete and measurable programs.
Apart from their important role in determining an electoral victory, the participation of swing voters was also necessary for the General Elections Commission (KPU) to achieve its 2019 participation target of 77.5 percent.
During the debate on Sunday evening (2/17/2019) that explored the themes of energy, natural resources, the environment, food and infrastructure, the two candidates were more spontaneous than in the first debate round on Jan. 17. However, social and political sciences lecturer Airlangga Pribadi of Airlangga University said that the candidates’ explanation of their programs lacked detail.
“It might be enough to convince their own voters. However, if they wish to convince swing voters, who are critical and not easily satisfied, a more concrete and comprehensive approach is needed,” Airlangga said over the phone on Monday (2/18).
The Kompas R&D poll on Sept. 24-Oct. 5, 2018 showed that up to 14.7 percent of registered voters were swing voters. In the Kompas R&D poll on Jan. 13-14, 2019, which involved 620 respondents in 17 major cities, 42.4 percent of undecided voters said that the debates were important for them to make their decision.
In the second debate round, the KPU provided an “exploratory” segment that allowed Jokowi and Prabowo to debate openly. However, observers say that the candidates did not use the segment optimally.
“This debate model of is expected to be more dynamic in encouraging open argumentation, but this did not happen,” said Aditya Perdana, executive director of the University of Indonesia’s Political Studies Center.
Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) program director Sirojuddin Abbas said that the second debate could have a better electoral impact than the first debate.
However, he said that the candidates’ performance in the second debate had not fulfilled the expectations of swing voters. He said that any changes among swing voters would be made rationally and psychologically. Rationally, swing voters would study the candidates’ track records and policy agenda to determine whether they accommodated their interests and would improve Indonesia.
Psychologically, swing voters would observe the candidates to see whether they possessed the sympathy and ability to understand the people’s problems.
Hearing aid
After the debate, photos of Jokowi’s alleged use of an earpiece to aid him during the debate went viral on social media. The photos showed that Jokowi was wearing an earpiece and a stylus to control it. However, Jokowi has denied this and showed the pen that he was holding during the debate.
“That is nonsensical slander. You must not continue to talk about such slanderous statements,” Jokowi said in Pandeglang, Banten.
KPU commissioner Wahyu Setiawan said that, as far as the commission knew, neither Jokowi nor Prabowo used an earpiece during the debate. “It’s hard to grasp the idea that a candidate was using such equipment,” he said.
Dull ideas
Observers also said that more elaboration on concrete steps was needed on the development issues and challenges in Sunday’s debate.
Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR) executive director Fabby Tumiwa said that the two candidates made similar pledges on reducing the use of fossil energy. However, the debate had yet to involve discussions on the use and availability of plant-based fuels.
Many other important issues were also left untouched, such as air pollution. “Air pollution has never been a priority,” said Bondan Andriyanu, a representative of the Clean Air Initiative Universal Coalition. (AGE/SAN/NTA/BAY/FER/ARN/ICH)