Faisal Maliki Baskoro, Jakarta – In the final presidential debate of the 2024 election on Sunday, presidential candidate Anies Baswedan addressed the critical issues of economic inequality and unequal access in Indonesia.
"Our biggest issue is injustice, the disparity between Jakarta and outside Jakarta, the rich and the poor, rural and urban areas, and in education. In the economic sector, a handful of individuals control the majority of the economy," said the former Minister of Education in his opening speech.
Anies aims to return Indonesia to its initial founding goal: equal access for all. "When this republic was founded, its founders were 60 members of the PPUPKI (Indonesian Preparatory Committee for Independence). They were educated individuals, privileged, but they established the republic for everyone," Anies said at the Jakarta Convention Centre on Sunday.
"However, now we are far from the ideals of this republic," he added.
Anies said 45 million people still lack decent employment, 70 million people lack social security, and over 15 million people have become victims of sexual violence.
"Indonesian citizens have high capabilities but lack opportunities. It's very frustrating," he said.
"These are the problems that the elite are not concerned about; these are the concerns of the majority of the people," he added.
Anies Baswedan and his running mate, Muhaimin Iskandar aim to ensure a healthy life and swift healthcare for all Indonesian citizens, enabling children to grow intelligently with affordable costs, creating prosperous families with fair wages, and delivering social assistance tailored to individual needs.
The final debate in the 2024 Presidential Election focuses on social welfare, culture, education, information technology, health, employment, human resources, and inclusion issues.