Prabowo scores most humorous points in first debate: Ridwan Kamil

Golkar Party politician Ridwan Kamil (right) speaks with presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto (left) during a break in the first official presidential debate on Dec 12, 2023. - The Jakarta Post/ANN

JAKARTA: After the first presidential debate on Tuesday (Dec 12) evening, the West Java campaign manager for the Prabowo Subianto-Gibran Rakabuming Raka ticket, Ridwan Kamil, said his presidential candidate was the "most humorous" as he traded witty remarks and made spontaneous moves while interacting with his opponents.

Ridwan said Prabowo aimed to make the election more lighthearted, as opposed to the usual cutthroat atmosphere normally on display in presidential elections.

"We are being objective here. The live debate broadcast tonight was the most humorous, entertaining and tension-reducing. Because debates are usually perceived as emotion-stirring, the debate was more relaxed thanks to his style," said Ridwan, as quoted by Antara

Ridwan said Prabowo instructed his campaign team to implement and popularise "joyful politics" in the 2024 presidential election. Such a concept, according to Ridwan, must also be implemented in presidential and vice presidential debates alongside regular presidential campaigning.

Nevertheless, Ridwan said adopting such a persona would not reduce the substantive value of Prabowo's vision during his presidential debates.

"People can also see the seriousness and cheerfulness that define Pak Prabowo's persona today," said Ridwan when commenting on Prabowo's performance during the first presidential debate on Tuesday evening.

The word gemoy, an Indonesian term for something amiable and endearing, has been at the forefront of Prabowo's presidential campaign in a bid to leverage his electorate among younger Indonesian Generation Z voters.

The tactic encompasses many theatrical gimmicks, such as Prabowo-Gibran's AI-generated, Disney-inspired campaign posters and body language theatrics consisting of dancing and martial art pencak silat-inspired moves by Prabowo during the first presidential debate.

Prabowo also showed up at the debate wearing a light blue semi-formal shirt and black trousers.

"Why did he choose light blue? I think this time, Prabowo wanted to show a more relaxed, comfortable and approachable image," said fashion trend observer Dewi Utari.