By: Goddess Saraswati)*
The election of the Regional Head (Pilkada) in 2024 is an important momentum for Indonesia in choosing the regional leader who will hold the control of local government. However, the challenges are not light. One of the biggest threats is the spread of hoaks and politicization of SARA (State, Religion, Race, and Intergenre) that could undermine the democratic process. Therefore, collaboration between the various elements of the community, the government, and the Pilkada supervisory agency is the key to dealing with this threat.
Public participation in Pilkada surveillance is not only the exercise of the right to vote on the day of the vote, but also involvement in every stage of it. Education and encouragement of the community to play an active role are essential so that every citizen can understand the phases of Pilkada and take a look at the process. It will encourage the creation of a reliable and qualified Pilkada.
In order to this goal, the Municipal Election Supervisory Authority (Bawaslu) of Bandar Lampung has collaborated with the Municipal Union of Nations and Politics (Kesbangpol) to implement the socialization of the political rejection of money, hoaks, SARA, and the neutrality of ASN in 126 municipalities of the city. This socialization is carried out in the form of a forum discussion with various community groups, women’s groups, beginner voters, youth organizations, and other communities. This collaboration shows that Bawaslu cannot work alone and requires the role and activism of the community to carry out prevention and surveillance.
Bawaslu City of Bandar Lampung has also taken proactive steps by campaigning against money politics, hoaks, SARA, andining the neutrality of the Civil State Apparatus (ASN) in 126 municipalities in the city. The chairman of Lampung City Bawaslu, Apriliwanda, stressed the importance of public involvement in participatory surveillance. According to him, participatory surveillance is a collaborative container between Bawaslu and the community to enhance the prevention and monitoring functions in order to a quality and dignified Pilkada.
On the other hand, religious organizations are also involved in the fight against hoaks and the politicization of SARA. Rezki Restu Sinuraya, General Manager of the PRMATA Center of the Batak Karo Protestant Church (GBKP), invited the youth of the GBKP to play a role in preventing hoaks, identity politics, and black campaigns related to Pilkada. In the discussion initiated by the PRMA, Rezki invited young people to support the government in creating a safe and conducive situation in Pilkada 2024. On the same occasion, Pastor Mira Mutianta Beru Sinulingga reminded the young people of the CCP of the importance of avoiding hate speech and creating peace in the 2024 Pilkada. He also invited the public to continue praying and electing leaders who fear God, according to the teachings of the Bible.
Polres Indragiri Hulu (Inhu) is also active in calling on the community to create Pilkada 2024 without hoaks, SARA issues, and identity politics. Inhu Kapolres, AKBP Fahrian Saleh Siregar, stressed the importance of creating a peaceful and cool situation, despite different political choices. Political hoaks, SARA issues, and identity politics are the main causes of the riots in Pilkada. Therefore, the public must be alert to provocations that could break up the nation’s unity. Fahrian’s statement indicates that collaboration with the public is essential to creating a safe and peaceful Pilkada. Political hoaks are lies about politics used as propaganda to provoke people. Meanwhile, the SARA issue is politics associated with information about tribes, religions, races, and intergroups, which can trigger divisions. Identity politics, a policy based on individual identity, is also a serious threat to the integrity of democratic processes.
From the various initiatives undertaken, it is clear that collaboration between government agencies, community organizations, and the general public is the key to combating hoaks and politicization of SARA. Awareness and active participation of the public in monitoring each phase of the Pilkada is essential to preserve the integrity of the democratic process. Thus, the public can play a role in preventing conflict, increasing confidence in the results of Pilkada, and strengthening the legitimacy of political leadership.
As a society that cares about the future of Indonesian democracy, we must jointly reject the hoaks and politicization of SARA. Education about the dangers of hoax and politicizing SARA must continue to be encouraged, both through forums of discussion, socialization, and campaigns on social media. In addition, we must also play an active role in reporting any breach or fraud that is found in the Pilkada process.
In the end, solid collaboration between various elements of society and government will result in a safe, peaceful, and quality 2024 Pilkada. Thus, we can ensure that the elected leaders are those who are truly trustworthy and capable of bringing positive change to the region and the nation. Let us together safeguard the integrity of Indonesian democracy and create a better future.
)* The author is a student of Political Science from Yogyakarta