By: Gavin Asadit
The Regional Head Election (Pilkada) is an important moment in the democratic process in Indonesia. In every regional election, the people have the opportunity to choose the leaders who will govern their region for the next five years. However, behind this euphoria of democracy, the threat of the misuse of issues related to Ethnicity, Religion, Race, and Intergroup Relations (SARA) often looms as a shadow that haunts the electoral process. The 2024 regional election process without SARA issues is an important factor in maintaining national harmony.
At this stage, it is certainly important for every element to maintain the rhythm, especially regarding the dissemination of information through various media channels that can calm the public so that the dynamics on the ground do not trigger unrest. In recent times, social media seems to have become the ultimate judge, which is certainly related to the overall understanding of society. When people are adept at selecting positive information to share, the risk of potential SARA (ethnic, religious, racial, and intergroup issues) issues arising is smaller. But the same goes for the opposite.
Another trend that raises common concern is that issues related to ethnicity, religion, race, and inter-group relations are often exploited for political gain. Indeed, the diversity that Indonesia possesses should be a strength, yet for them, these differences are exploited and manipulated to create division. Therefore, it requires the commitment of all parties that the guardians of the regional elections be free from SARA issues, as this is the responsibility of everyone to maintain the unity and harmony of the nation.
The SARA issue can provoke tensions between groups and create horizontal conflicts that are difficult to extinguish. In such conditions, society is divided not based on the candidates’ capacities and programs, but rather on differences in identity. This not only creates a deeper divide, but it can also threaten security and order stability.
If the issues of ethnicity, religion, race, and politics go hand in hand, it raises shared concerns and should be a matter of attention to be minimized. A member of the Karangasem Regency Election Supervisory Board, Azwardi Natta, expressed a strong hope that the 2024 regional elections will be free from money politics and issues related to ethnicity, religion, race, and inter-group relations. He emphasized the importance of preventing actions that exploit divisions among groups, religions, ethnicities, and races through insults, incitement, and sowing discord, especially in politics, in order to maintain the unity and integrity of the nation.
Several studies also show that issues of ethnicity, religion, race, and inter-group relations (SARA) in regional elections can prolong cycles of conflict in society. After the local election process is complete, the residue of social conflict still lingers. The excesses of social life resulting from the use of SARA issues are often difficult to recover from. The tension created during the campaign can linger and even develop into long-lasting hostility among citizens.
To prevent the politicization of SARA issues in regional elections, several strategic steps can be taken by various elements of society. First, the important role of election organizers, such as the General Election Commission (KPU) and the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu), in maintaining the integrity of local elections is crucial. The KPU and Bawaslu must ensure that every campaign process runs smoothly and is free from the use of SARA issues. Strict oversight of black campaigns that exploit identity differences is essential.
In addition, religious leaders and community figures also play a very important role in mitigating the potential conflicts arising from SARA issues. With their strong influence in the community, they can educate citizens about the importance of choosing leaders based on their capabilities, not their identities. Religious leaders can spread messages of peace and unity, while community leaders can serve as a bridge for communication among citizens from different backgrounds.
The great hope of every element of society must certainly be realized through actions and concrete steps to support the entire process of the 2024 regional elections. The youth figure of Jayapura Regency and also the Chairman of the Jayapura Youth Movement, Jack Judzoon Puraro, stated that all elements of society, especially the youth, should support the implementation of the 2024 Regional Elections by avoiding all forms of hostility and division. The community should also avoid being easily provoked and steer clear of identity politics as well as black campaigns.
In addition to community elements, the most important thing is that stakeholders at the central and regional levels can take on roles according to their respective portions. The local and central governments also need to ensure that existing regulations are strong enough to prevent the use of SARA issues in political campaigns. Strict laws against violations related to SARA must be applied consistently to create a deterrent effect. In addition, the political literacy of the public must be continuously improved so that they can be more critical of the various information disseminated during the campaign period.
However, no matter how hard the efforts made by the government, election organizers, and the media, ultimately the success of the regional elections without SARA issues depends on the awareness of the society itself. The community must realize that elections are not a platform to sharpen differences, but rather a moment to collectively determine the future of their region.
A good political education is essential for society to be able to choose wisely and critically. The community must learn to ignore provocations that contain elements of ethnicity, religion, race, and inter-group relations (SARA) and focus more on the vision, mission, and work programs of the candidates for regional leaders. Thus, the regional elections can proceed smoothly and peacefully without sacrificing national harmony.
Ensuring that regional elections are free from SARA (ethnic, religious, racial, and inter-group) issues is one of the important steps in maintaining national unity and harmony. The politicization of SARA issues will only lead to division and threaten social stability in society. Therefore, all parties from the government, election organizers, religious leaders, community figures, the media, to the general public must actively participate in ensuring that the 2024 regional elections can take place safely, peacefully, and without the politicization of ethnicity, religion, race, and inter-group relations.
With a shared commitment to reject issues of ethnicity, religion, race, and inter-group relations, we can realize peaceful, fair, and integrity-filled regional elections. The diversity that exists in Indonesia should be seen as a strength that unites, not as a tool for division. Let’s safeguard the 2024 regional elections as a constructive democratic celebration, not a destructive one.
The writer is an observer of social and community issues.
