Two of Indonesia’s three presidential contenders pledged to protect press freedom in the world’s third-largest democracy at a weekend event that frontrunner PrabowoSubianto didn’t attend.
The event came just days ahead of the Feb 14 poll, and as some Indonesians raise concerns over an erosion of the country’s hard-won democratic freedoms. Criticism over political interference has been levelled especially at outgoing President JokoWidodo, who has given tacit support to Prabowo. In the past, incumbents wrapping up their second term as president have remained neutral.
On the last day of campaigning, ex-Jakarta governor AniesBaswedan and ex-Central Java governor GanjarPranowo signed the National Press Council’s written declarations to uphold democracy and press freedom.
It was unclear if Prabowo, represented at the Saturday event by the head of his campaign team, signed the declaration. His campaign did not respond to queries on the matter. Prabowo is projected by some opinion surveys to pip the 50% threshold needed to win the election in a single round.—INP
