During the 2024 North Sumatra Pilkada debate on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, North Sumatra gubernatorial candidate Bobby Nasution, representing candidate number 1, experienced a moment of silence lasting 28 seconds while discussing the region’s need for medical professionals. The situation unfolded as Bobby attempted to address the insufficient number of general practitioners and specialist doctors required in North Sumatra.
Bobby started his response by correcting the data presented by candidate number 2, Edy Rahmayadi, on the same topic. However, after delivering only a brief statement, he abruptly paused amid loud interruptions from the audience. The commotion occurred as Bobby, who is the son-in-law of Indonesia’s seventh president, Joko Widodo, was trying to speak.
He stated, “Please allow me to provide clearer, more accurate information. North Sumatra requires 1,000 general practitioners and currently faces a shortage of specialists…” But his statement was cut short due to the growing noise.
The unusual pause and subsequent cheering from the audience became a notable highlight of the debate, drawing attention to the challenging dynamics faced by the candidates during the event.