Jakarta. In a surprising turn during the last presidential debate on Sunday, Prabowo Subianto not only pledged to be a president for all citizens, regardless of their voting preferences but also offered apologies to rivals Anies Baswedan and Ganjar Pranowo. 

The debate, held at the Jakarta Convention Center, saw Prabowo adopting a reconciliatory tone in his closing statement.

"We have engaged in fierce campaign rallies, marked by rivalries and strong words over the past few months. However, there is goodwill behind this, and I believe all three candidates simply want the best for Indonesia," Prabowo said.

In a bid to emphasize his commitment to inclusivity, Prabowo explicitly apologized to Anies, Ganjar, and their running mates for any words or conduct that may have caused offense during the competition.

If elected, “I will become the president for all Indonesian people, including those who don’t vote for me or those who don’t put their trust in me," assured Prabowo.

In addition to his conciliatory remarks, Prabowo reiterated his promises to immediately address key issues such as poverty eradication, reduction of maternal mortality rates, and the fight against corruption.

Prabowo, making his third attempt at winning the presidency, has positioned the continuation of President Joko Widodo’s legacy as a central theme in his campaign. This stands in contrast to the anti-establishment rhetoric put forth by rival Anies.

Polls indicate that Prabowo is the frontrunner in the three-person election, with some pollsters suggesting a clear chance for an outright win in the Feb. 14 election without a runoff.

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