HATTA RAJASA:
We are unlikely to go back to an era of repression

TWO months of campaigning have taken a toll on Hatta Rajasa. The bags under the eyes of this vice-presidential candidate running with Prabowo Subianto have become more prominent than usual and his voice has become hoarse. And in two days time, he faces his opponent Jusuf Kalla in the fourth presidential debate series. "I have been going to three provinces in one day," said Hatta.

Despite his fatigue, however, Hatta looked ecstatic because four survey groups hired by his campaign team have shown data indicating that his and Prabowo's electability are rapidly rising, in fact reaching the same level as that of Joko Widodo and his running mate, Jusuf Kalla, who two weeks ago were 20 percentage points ahead of their opponents. One survey even shows Hatta and Prabowo ahead by 4 percentage points. "There is a movement below that is supporting us," said Hatta, in a special interview with Tempo at his residence, last Tuesday.

July 1, 2014