News analysis

Candidates clash over Indonesia's defence spending during presidential election debate

Indonesia's presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto (right) speaks during a televised debate with opponent Joko Widodo ahead of the next general election in Jakarta, on March 30, 2019. PHOTO: REUTERS
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JAKARTA - The televised debate on Saturday (March 30) between President Joko Widodo and his election rival Prabowo Subianto was not the contest of many new policy ideas some had hoped for.

But the debate, held three weeks before polls open on April 17, did offer many big takeaways for voters in Indonesia, particularly the fence-sitters.

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