Indonesia’s presidential front runners make debut on the campaign stage

(From left) Indonesia's Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto, Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo and former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan. PHOTOS: AFP, ANIES BASWEDAN/FACEBOOK

JAKARTA: Indonesia’s three leading presidential hopefuls on Thursday made elevator pitches on why they should become the country’s next leader, as competition intensified ahead of the 2024 general election.

Standing before regional leaders from across Indonesia, they dished out promises ranging from fighting corruption and pushing the nation higher up the industrial value chain, to more equitable urban development across Indonesia.