Indonesia election race heats up over Jokowi's nickel strategy

Gibran defends father's industrialization push that rival slams as 'reckless'

Indonesian vice presidential candidates Mohammad Mahfud MD, left, Muhaimin Iskandar, center, and Gibran Rakabuming attend a debate on Jan. 21. (Photo captured from General Elections Commission's YouTube)

ERWIDA MAULIA and ISMI DAMAYANTI, Nikkei staff writers

January 22, 2024 13:13 JST

JAKARTA -- Indonesia's vice presidential candidates representing their tickets zeroed in on President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's nickel industry strategy in a debate on Sunday night ahead of the upcoming presidential election on Feb. 14.

The official debate, fourth of the five-part series, highlighted topics of sustainable development, natural resources and food security, featuring VP hopefuls Gibran Rakabuming, Mohammad Mahfud MD and Muhaimin Iskandar. They are running mates of Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, former Central Java Gov. Ganjar Pranowo and former Jakarta Gov. Anies Baswedan, respectively.