Students from University of Indonesia Will Hold A Presidential Debate: Anies Baswedan Approves

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The Student Executive Board from the University of Indonesia (UI) has invited three popular presidential candidates to an open debate in the university. The Indonesian presidential election 2024 will be the first election for the majority of generation Z.

The three who are invited are Minister for Defense Prabowo Subianto, former Governor of Jakarta Anies Baswedan, and Governor of Middle Java Ganjar Pranowo.

The head of Student Executive Board of UI, Melki Sedek Huang, said the campaigns these days are dull, and that young people do not want to see campaigns without substance.

"Please Come to UI If You Dare!" said Melki in his statement.

On his Instagram, Melki also said the invitations are sent to each candidate's address. The debate will be held on September 14.

Anies Baswedan is the first candidate who openly accepts the challenge.

A prominent member of Anies Baswedan's coalition team, Sudirman Said, explained that Anies shows his quality as an academic. Before entering politics, Anies Baswedan was the rector of Paramadina University in Jakarta.

"In his daily life Anies is originally an academic, an intellectual who is used to discourses," Sudirman Said explained on Sunday (27/8/2023).

During his time as a governor, Sudirman said that Anies also often debated with people from opposing perspectives. Sudirman believed that leaders must also be tested intellectually.

"So it's not a gimmick. It is the conviction of Mr. Anies to respond to the call from the young generation," Sudirman said.

Previously, it was reported that Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo are similarly unpopular among gen Z voters.

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Ahda Bayhaqi from Merdeka.com contributed to this report.