Jakarta. President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo expressed disappointment regarding Sunday evening's debate, saying that it deviated from discussing crucial issues and instead turned into a platform for personal attacks among the candidates. 

Speaking to reporters in Banten on Monday, the president expressed his dissatisfaction as the debate involving presidential candidates Baswedan, Prabowo Subianto, and Ganjar Pranowo failed to focus on the key topics.

"The engagements derailed from the substantial topics and visions of the candidates. Instead, personal attacks dominated, straying away from discussions on international relations, geopolitics, and defense -- the core themes," Jokowi said. "I believe many people share my disappointment."

While the president refrained from mentioning names, the debate saw Anies initiate a direct attack on Prabowo in his opening statement. Anies accused Prabowo, the current defense minister, of owning 340,000 hectares of land while many soldiers reside in rented homes. 

Additionally, he alleged that Prabowo wasted trillions of rupiah of state funds to purchase second-hand weaponry systems and even questioned the defense minister’s ethical conduct.

Prabowo is running with Gibran Rakbuming Raka, Jokowi's eldest son, as his ticket mate.

Jokowi advocated for the improvement of debate regulations to ensure that discussions remain within the agreed-upon topics. 

"We need better regulations for the debate. While criticizing policies is acceptable, it should be devoid of personal motives," Jokowi said.

Anies also criticized the Jokowi administration's decision to increase civil servants' salaries three times in nine years, contrasting it with the nine increments during the tenure of predecessor Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. 

In response, Jokowi argued that his administration is facing unique fiscal and economic challenges such as the Covid-19 pandemic, trade conflicts among major powers, and escalating geopolitical tensions.

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