Jakarta – As a presidential candidate who is ranked at the top of various electability surveys ahead of the presidential election, the foreign media Al Jazeera highlighted the grand campaign of the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka pair at GBK on Saturday (10/2).
The media conducted an exclusive interview with Prabowo during the campaign and highlighted the possibility of winning in one round.
“I think all the numbers (surveys) show the same thing, you also see the enthusiasm of grassroots people, all the numbers show that we will advance in one round. Seeing the spirit of my supporters everywhere, I think they feel that our team is a real hope for them,” Prabowo responded to Al Jazeera’s question.
The number two presidential candidate assessed that the public, especially the younger generation, are now more rational, critical, intelligent, and able to judge leaders who are truly sincere or authentic. They also care about the future of Indonesia.
“The younger generation is now more rational, more critical, smarter, and can feel what is genuine and what is not genuine. I think they are very worried about their future,” he said.
The media also highlighted the vice presidential candidate Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who is under 40 years old and has faced rejection from some parties. According to Prabowo, it is a normal thing in politics, although in Western countries young leaders are common.
“The fact that there is a vice president who is under 40 years old is normal in many Western countries. But in Indonesia, it has become some kind of issue,” he added.
“I think it’s because his age is not only under 40 years old, but because he is the son of President Joko Widodo. I think that’s what makes some people uncomfortable. But that’s politics, right? You can’t please everyone all the time,” he added.
Prabowo is determined to work for the entire Indonesian people evenly, including those who do not vote for him. He gave an example in East Nusa Tenggara, where in the previous election he lost in the province, Prabowo, as the Minister of Defense, built the ‘Ben Mboi’ Polytechnic at the Indonesian National Armed Forces University in Belu.
“I will work for the good of Indonesia not only for certain segments. I proved it when in the previous elections, I lost heavily in East Nusa Tenggara, but when I became Minister of Defense, I had the opportunity. I think one of the largest and best polytechnics in East Nusa Tenggara, in the province where I suffered defeat,” he said.
When asked about the condition of Indonesia if led by him, Prabowo emphasized his commitment to improving welfare and eradicating poverty.
“I hope Indonesia becomes more dynamic, better economically, but most importantly, I want to eradicate poverty. I want to eliminate hunger (in society),” he concluded. (SENOPATI)