Ma'ruf Amin: Speaking Time Limit in Debate May Ruin Me

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vice Presidential Candidate Ma'ruf Amin expressed his concerns related to the speaking time limit during election debate. Ma'ruf said that the speaking time limit could affect him because it provides a different condition compared to speaking in public.

"Sometimes, time can mess things up. When I freely speak, [someone] suddenly stops my speech. That's difficult," said Ma'ruf on Friday, March 8, 2019, during a discussion with his supporters or volunteers incorporated in Relawan Utama Amanah Jokowi - Ma'ruf Amin Berkah (Rumah Jama'ah) at his residence on Jalan Situbondo, Jakarta.

In addition to the speaking time limit, Ma'ruf added, the situation during a debate is much different compared to speaking in public. There would be lighting and shouts from audiences that would affect his performance on the debate stage.

One of the volunteers who was a celebrity, Nia Dinata, tried to assure Ma'ruf that he has good and informative speaking skills enough to compete with Sandiaga Uno during the third election debate.

"Abah [Ma'ruf Amin] can just speak as usual. [You're] speaking smoothly, and we understand," said Nia.

Ma'ruf admitted that the theme of the upcoming debate, which is education, health, employment, social and culture, are not his expertise. Ma'ruf said to have mastered Islamic sharia. "Yes, please pray for me to have strength in facing that [debate]," said the former supreme leader of Nahdlatul Ulama.

The third presidential election debate is scheduled to take place on March 17, 2019, at the Sultan Hotel, Jakarta. The session between vice presidential candidates Ma'ruf Amin and Sandiaga Uno will be aired on three private TV stations namely Trans TV, Trans 7, and CNN Indonesia.

FIKRI ARIGI