Five Candidates Take Part in Democrat Party Presidential Debate

Bandung, W Java (Antara)- The debate for the ruling Democrat Party's nomination of presidential candidate for the election in July this year was held at Harris Hotel and Conventions Festibal Citylink, here on Wednesday. Five people who took part in the first session of the debate as part of the party's convention were member of the State Audit Board, Ali Masykur Musa, former trade minister Gita Wirjawan, House Speaker Marzuki Alie, former defense forces commander retired general Endriartono Sutarto and university rector Anies R Baswedan. Each of the participants was given around three minutes to present his view on economic issues in the country. Two candidates, Gita Wiryawan and Marzuki Alie, however asked for 30 seconds more than the allocated time for presenting their views. Ali Masykur Musa was the first to speak in front of a panel of experts, followed by Gita Wirjawan, Marzuki Alie, Endriartono Sutarto and Anies Baswedan. The ruling Democrat Party had organized a convention in an effort to select its candidate for the presidential election on July 9 this year. Eleven figures have taken part in the convention including President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's brother in law, retired general Pramono Edhie Wibowo, state enterprises minister Dahlan Iskan, and former youth and sports minister Hayono Isman, the chairman of the Regional Representatives Council, Irman Gusman, and former ambassador to the US, Dino Patti Djalal and North Sulawesi governor Sinyo Harris Sarundajang. President Yudhoyono has not been allowed to seek reelection by law, since he has held the post for two terms. (*)