FSH News, Jakarta - The Dean of the Faculty of Sharia and Law, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Maksum, SH, MA, MDC, served as a panelist in the Second Open Debate for Candidates for Regent and Deputy Regent of Tangerang Regency.
Other panelists included Prof. Mufti Ali, Professor at UIN Banten; Zaki Mubarak, Ph.D., a lecturer in political communication science; Neka, a lecturer at Sultan Agung Tirtayasa University; and Neni Nur Hayati, a professional. The open debate featured three pairs of candidates: two from political parties and one independent candidate. It was broadcast live by a national private television station on Sunday, November 10, 2024.

The central theme of the open debate was "Sustainable Regional Development Innovation that is Integrated, Inclusive, and NKRI-minded." This main theme was further divided into six subtopics, each accompanied by specific indicators and questions. To ensure confidentiality in the formulation of these topics, indicators, and questions, the panelists were quarantined at a hotel in West Jakarta. The finalized formulation was sealed in an envelope and handed directly to the moderator by the panelist coordinator.

During the debate, the panelists were given the opportunity to select question numbers from a fishbowl. Since the number of questions asked to the candidate pairs was double the number of panelists, each panelist had the chance to select twice. Prof. Maksum had the opportunity to choose twice, receiving the first and last chance to draw the question numbers.[MM]