By: Aisyah Aiman )*
Ahead of the 2024 Regional Head Elections (Pilkada), the practice of money politics has again become a major concern in efforts to maintain the quality of democracy in Indonesia. This phenomenon not only threatens the integrity of the election, but also harms the basic principles of democracy that should prioritize freedom, justice, and healthy public participation. The public needs to increase their awareness of the practice of money politics that often appears during elections.
Money politics is the act of giving or promising money, goods, or other forms of gifts to voters to influence political choices. This practice has a much greater negative impact in the long term. First, money politics harms the democratic process. Voters who should choose leaders based on programs, visions, and missions are instead influenced by material enticements. As a result, the leaders who are elected are often not those who are competent or have integrity, but rather those who are able to ‘buy’ votes.
In addition, money politics also damages social order and political ethics. People who are trapped in this practice will lose their political awareness, where the very valuable right to vote is exchanged for money or goods in relatively small amounts. This worsens social inequality and hinders the development of a healthy and sustainable democracy.
The Head of the Tidore Islands City KPU, Randi Ridwan, at the peaceful campaign declaration event held on September 24, 2024, emphasized the importance of holding a peaceful campaign free from money politics practices in the 2024 Tidore Islands Mayor and Deputy Mayor Election. Randi also emphasized that the Pilkada is a means for the people to express their sovereignty, and any form of violation such as money politics will only harm the political rights of the people. One of the goals of the Pilkada is to create healthy competition, where candidates focus on promoting the programs offered, not using dirty methods such as spreading money to gain sympathy.
In an effort to prevent money politics, the role of law enforcement officers and election organizing institutions is very crucial. At the 2024 Peaceful Pilkada Declaration event, the East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Regional Police Chief, Inspector General Daniel Tahi Monang Silitonga, gave a strong warning against the practice of money politics and black campaigns that often occur during the election process. Strict action will be taken against anyone involved in these practices, including vulnerabilities that may occur during voting, such as the destruction of polling stations (TPS), intimidation of officers, or threats to voters.
Daniel also emphasized the importance of neutrality from TNI-Polri members in maintaining order and security during the 2024 Pilkada. The neutrality of the apparatus is very important to ensure that the democratic process runs well without any intervention or bias that can affect the election results.
Less educated voters are often easy targets for money politics, where they tend to vote based on material enticements rather than rational considerations such as the candidate’s vision or work program. Therefore, political education for the community is key to suppressing this practice. The community needs to be made aware that electing a leader who is not based on money but on the candidate’s capability and integrity is the first step to ensuring regional prosperity and progress.
Preventing money politics is not only the responsibility of election organizers and law enforcement officers, but also the responsibility of all elements of society. Acting Governor of NTT, Andriko Noto Susanto, emphasized the importance of prioritizing the values of politeness in politics. Hoaxes, hate speech, and money politics are real threats that can damage national unity if not handled seriously. Susanto invited all parties, both regional head candidates and the general public, to respect each other and maintain harmony during the 2024 Pilkada.
The KPU and Bawaslu at every level, from the province to the city and district, are expected to act as fair and professional supervisors and must commit to not siding with any candidate and to take firm action against any violations that occur during the election process.
The peaceful campaign declaration carried out by the KPU of Tidore Kepulauan City and the NTT Regional Police is a concrete example of preventive efforts that can be carried out to anticipate money politics. This declaration emphasizes the importance of maintaining the integrity of the nation and ensuring the implementation of peaceful, fair, and honest elections. In this case, the community must be part of the supervision of practices that harm democracy such as money politics and hoaxes.
The 2024 Pilkada is an important moment for the Indonesian people to choose leaders who can bring positive change to their respective regions. However, challenges such as money politics must be faced with vigilance. The community must reject all forms of material enticements that are detrimental in the long term. Choosing a leader is not a transaction, but a form of moral responsibility to ensure a better future.
By increasing political literacy and strengthening supervision of practices that harm democracy, it is hoped that the 2024 regional elections can run peacefully and produce leaders who truly work for the people, not for money or power.
)* The author is a political observer from the WTC Research Institute
