Indonesian Presidential Contenders Spar on Defense, Foreign Debt

Largest Southeast Asian economy will elect new leader Feb. 14
Defense Minister Prabowo currently holds wide leader in polls

Prabowo Subianto, from left, Ganjar Pranowo, and Anies Baswedan attend the third presidential debate in Jakarta on Jan. 7.Photographer: Adek Berry/AFP/Getty Images

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By Faris Mokhtar

January 7, 2024 at 4:11 PM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

Indonesia’s presidential contenders sparred on issues ranging from foreign debt risks to settling disputes in the South China Sea dispute in a televised debate Sunday night, the third ahead of February’s election.

Tensions were high between former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan and his opponent, defense minister Prabowo Subianto, whom Anies accused of not doing enough to bolster the nation’s cyber defenses. Former Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo also debated.