TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The deputy director of the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef), Eko Listiyanto, predicted vice presidential candidates Ma'ruf Amin and Sandiaga Uno will bring up an entrepreneurship issue in the upcoming election debate.

“Entrepreneurship will likely be the topic in the upcoming debate with each candidate’s version,” said Eko at Rantang Ibu Restaurant in Jakarta, Thursday, March 14.

Eko assessed that vice presidential candidate number 02 Sandiaga Uno would present better performance than candidate number 01 Ma'ruf Amin in the business issue. According to him, one of Sandiaga’s flagship programs was OK OCE that had been initiated since his candidacy as Jakarta deputy governor in 2017.

“Meanwhile Ma'ruf Amin will possibly introduce community or pesantren-based entrepreneurship, but I am not familiar with that yet,” Eko added.

Besides, he continued, the running mate of Jokowi will likely bring up the issue on sharia payment in vying with his election rival considering the chairman of Indonesian Ulema Council had a background in sharia economy.

The third election debate which is slated to take place Sunday, March 17, will see vice presidential candidates spar over issues about health, education, employment, and social and culture.

CAESAR AKBAR | DEWI NURITA | RYAN DWIKY