Oyos Saroso H.N., Bandarlampung – Seven Lampung gubernatorial candidate pairs took part in a live televised debate organized by Lampung's General Elections Commission (KPUD) and Metro TV in Bandarlampung on Friday evening.
Three panelists were invited to pose questions – legal expert Todung Mulya Lubis, economist Aviliani from the Institute for Development of Economy and Finance and dean of the School for Social and Political Science at Lampung University Hertanto.
When Metro TV presenter Meutia Hafidz asked each candidate to describe their strengths and weaknesses before the question-and-answer session, they drew a roar of laughter from the audience for only disclosing their strengths, not their weaknesses.
The seven candidate pairs each fielded questions on the economy, law and pluralism. Though interrupted several times for commercial breaks, the event intensified when the candidates responded to questions inaccurately, humorously, or with too much fervor.
Mockery from other candidates' supporters was part of the mix. Audience members burst out laughing during the word quiz when one candidate could not define the word "regulation".
For the public in Lampung, especially in the provincial capital Bandarlampung, the political atmosphere ahead of elections is always heated. The two-hour debate was the first time the seven pairs of candidates met and engaged in debate.
Candidates for the Sept. 3 election include Alzier Dianis Thabranie and Brig. Gen. Bambang Sudibyo, endorsed by the Golkar Party, and the incumbent governor Sjachroedin Z.P., nominated by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, and M.S. Djoko Umar Said. Sjachroedin's term ends in June.
Also running are five other pairs: Zulkifli Anwar and Akhmadi Sumaryanto, nominated by the Justice Prosperity Party (PKS) and National Mandate Party (PAN); independent candidate pairs Muhajir Utomo and Andi Arief and Sofjan Jacoeb and Bambang Waluyo Utomo; Oemarsono and Thomas Azis Riska, nominated by minor parties; and Andy Achmad Sampurna Jaya and H.M. Suprajo, backed by the Democratic Party and the Reform Star Party.
As of August, Lampung has become the province with the most candidates vying for the top post.
"The Lampung gubernatorial election is also the first in Indonesia in which two independent candidate pairs are simultaneously taking part," said KPUD head Chaerullah Gultom.
Gultom acknowledged the debate was one of the commission's efforts to minimize tensions during the campaign. "The elections commission has banned street parades during the campaign period," said Gultom.
Despite the view such debate could reduce tension and minimize conflict among party supporters, NGO activists and observers said the event failed to point out the respective candidates' positions and views.
"When a debate is aired live on national television it becomes a joke that just isn't funny. It's too rich in entertainment value," said sociopolitical observer Hardi Hamzah.
"Out of the two hours of live broadcast, the debate itself lasted less than an hour. The rest was used for commercial breaks. It was not very informative."