Unless there is a significant political game changer, it is almost certain that the 2019 presidential election will be the repeat of the old battle between Joko Widodo and Prabowo Subianto four years ago. This is clearly a setback for democracy in the country.

Left with just two candidatesboth old facesthe public will have little choice. Without alternative candidates, a battle of ideas to address various issues may risk turning personal. Campa