By: Ratih Safira Utami
Welcoming the simultaneous regional elections on November 27 2024, it is important for us to avoid SARA provocations in order to maintain peace and harmony. Conflicts between groups or citizens, especially those triggered by religious issues, must be watched out for and avoided. This responsibility does not only lie with individuals, but is our collective responsibility as a society who wants to live in harmony.
In the run-up to the regional elections, the issue of SARA is often used to divide society. In the Cimahi City and West Bandung areas, this condition has received special attention. Bhikkhu Suddhasilo, a Buddhist religious figure in West Bandung, reminded us all to be wise in supporting candidate pairs who will compete. According to him, people from various religions have supported each other in carrying out their worship and daily activities. When Buddhists celebrate Vesak Day, people from various religions help, showing how strong inter-religious tolerance is in this region.
Religious issues should not be used as a tool to attack other candidate pairs. Every Indonesian citizen has the right to vote and be elected. Therefore, SARA issues need to be avoided in order to maintain peace and harmony in society.
Inter-religious harmony in the Cimahi City and West Bandung areas is currently well established. It would be very unfortunate if divisions occurred just because of differences in political and religious choices. Apart from Buddhist religious figures, Catholic, Hindu, Confucian and Islamic religious leaders also agreed not to use identity politics in the simultaneous regional elections.
They jointly called for the SARA issue not to be used as a political tool. This interfaith cooperation is proof that mutual cooperation can be a force in maintaining peace and order.
The police also play an important role in anticipating the rise of hoaxes and SARA issues on social media. Cimahi Police Chief AKBP Aldi Subartono reminded the public to be wise in using social media and not to spread hoax and racial information.
The public needs to be wary of provocations that use the SARA issue as an excuse. We must always maintain tolerance and conduciveness between religious communities, not only before the regional elections but also at all times. This year, tolerance between religious communities in Cimahi City and West Bandung is very good, with the community supporting each other in religious activities in a safe and orderly manner.
Cimahi Police Chief emphasized the importance of maintaining this conduciveness, especially ahead of the regional elections. Mutual cooperation in overseeing the safe and orderly implementation of regional elections is the key to maintaining community harmony.
Chair of the West Aceh Independent Election Commission (KIP), Cici Darmayanti, emphasized that the public must avoid provoking SARA issues and hoaxes that quickly circulate on social media. He also reminded the public to be selective in receiving information from social media and not be influenced by false information (hoaxes).
The Pilkada stages must be used as an opportunity to strengthen consolidation and harmonious coordination in order to realize democratic and integrity Pilkada. Even though the new candidate registration period starts on August 27-29 2024, various candidates have already started to appear and prepare themselves. The more candidates who appear, the better it will be for the development of democracy in the region. All competing candidates have the best vision and mission to advance the region.
Therefore, it is important for us to respect every difference and unite in the spirit of diversity for a better West Aceh Regency. Deputy Governor of Central Kalimantan (Kalteng) Edy Pratowo also emphasized to the public not to be influenced by hoaxes and provocations on social media. According to him, one thing that needs to be watched out for in a democratic party is the spread of hoaxes and hate speech related to SARA.
This can lead to polarization that divides the integrity of society. Edy appealed to the public to exercise their right to vote in the simultaneous regional elections on November 27 2024. One vote can determine the future of development in Central Kalimantan for the next five years. Semarang City Bawaslu is mitigating potential hoaxes and negative issues at the 2024 Regional Election stage. This mitigation is carried out to minimize the potential for alleged violations through social media or digital channels.
In today’s digital era, it is easier than ever to spread hoaxes and negative issues. Often hoaxes and negative issues are used to increase the electability of candidates or reduce the votes of political opponents. The emergence of hoaxes and negative issues can affect the quality of the 2024 Pilkada. In this case, the Semarang City Bawaslu is always making preventive efforts to prevent the spread and development of hoaxes and negative issues in the 2024 Pilkada stages by building synergy and cooperation with various parties.
The 2024 simultaneous regional elections are an opportunity for all of us to show maturity in democracy. Avoiding SARA provocations and hoaxes is the first step to ensure that this election runs peacefully and orderly.
Let us work together to maintain harmony and conduciveness in society, so that this Pilkada can produce the best leaders who are able to bring progress to our respective regions. Don’t let political and religious differences become a trigger for division, but instead use this moment as a means to strengthen national unity and integrity.
)* The author is a Persada Institute Contributor
