In Closing Debate, Joko Promises Bureaucratic ‘Breakthrough’, While Prabowo Strives for ‘A Dignified Nation’

Presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto, left, and running mate Hatta Rajasa listen as rival Joko Widodo, right, speaks in the final and fifth debate in Jakarta, on July 5, 2014. (Antara Photo/Prasetyo Utomo)

Jakarta. In closing the debate, presidential candidate Joko Widodo promised that he would bring about “renewal and breakthrough” in the nation’s bureaucracy to ensure that Indonesia’s interests will not only benefit a certain group of people.

Meanwhile, rival Prabowo Subianto promised that he would transform Indonesia into “a dignified nation.”

Joko said that from the very start, when his coalition was formed, he never engaged in transactional politics, meaning that he never promised positions or money in exchange for support from other political parties.

He added that his coalition is one where “unconditional cooperation” exists.

“Our nation … has many problems. But we are certain, that for every problem, there is a solution,” he said. “We are here for change … we are here to present to you, realistic approaches.”

He gave special emphasis to the Indonesian-ness of his being, perhaps in response to the black campaign efforts which have called into question his ethnic and religious status.

“We, Jokowi-JK, will only bow to the constitution,” Joko said, referring to his vice presidential running mate Jusuf Kalla. “And we, Jokowi-JK, will always be loyal to the people of this Republic of Indonesia.”

He ended his closing statement by citing a Muslim prayer, praying to God that the people of Indonesia may be blessed.

Prabowo stated that he is keen to “build a strong democracy.” He also remarked that, if elected, he will prioritize improving the welfare of Indonesians.

He also said that he is keen to create a “producing” nation, one that “not only buys goods from other countries.”

In closing, Prabowo said that “tonight is the end of a political campaign that has been quite lengthy.”

“We want to build a strong democracy. We, Prabowo-Hatta and the coalition that supports us, promise that should we receive the nation’s mandate, we will work with all our strength in order to prioritize the sovereignty, the prosperity of our Indonesia,” he said, referring to his vice presidential running mate Hatta Rajasa.

Prabowo said that no matter the result of the presidential election, he will “respect the decision of the people of Indonesia” for the sake of the “nation and the country that we love.”

A race that started out with a large deficit for Prabowo, the former army general, has since evolved into a neck-to-neck scramble for the Presidential Palace. Indonesians will go to the poll on Wednesday to select a successor to Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, whose second five-year term ends in October.