By: Rissa Cahya Insani )*
The 2024 Regional Head Elections (Pilkada) in Indonesia are expected to be an important momentum in strengthening democracy and public participation. However, amidst the high enthusiasm and political spirit, there are major challenges that need to be faced, namely the potential use of issues of Tribe, Religion, Race, and Inter-Group (SARA) in the campaign. SARA issues, if not watched out for, can trigger social tension and division in a pluralistic society. With a long history of conflict often triggered by differences in identity, it is important for all parties from prospective leaders to the community to jointly prioritize the values of unity and harmony.
The existence of different backgrounds of the prospective leaders demands a commitment to creating a healthy political atmosphere, where voters can choose based on the capacity, integrity, and vision of the candidates, not based on identities that can be divisive. Preventive steps need to be taken to ensure that the campaign is not clouded by provocations that can damage peace and stability. Through education, socialization, and cooperation between various elements of society, it is hoped that the 2024 Pilkada can take place peacefully and productively, reflecting the true spirit of democracy.
Chairman of the Indonesian General Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu), Rahmat Bagja, emphasized that the use of SARA issues remains a real threat in the 2024 Pilkada. According to him, the spread of this sensitive issue is increasingly easy through social media, where hate speech and provocation can spread quickly. Areas with high potential for conflict, such as Papua and Madura, are the main focus of Bawaslu’s supervision to prevent divisions due to campaigns that raise SARA issues.
In order to prevent the increasing prevalence of SARA issues in the 2024 Pilkada, Rahmat Bagja explained a number of strategies that will be implemented by Bawaslu. One important step is to build a joint movement with interfaith figures to declare anti-SARA politics. This movement involves figures from various religions in Indonesia, such as Islam, Christianity, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, and belief systems. Through this declaration, it is hoped that Pilkada participants and the public will not be trapped in campaigns that use SARA issues as a tool to divide.
In addition to the anti-SARA politics declaration, Bawaslu also plans to publish a guidebook on participatory supervision from a religious perspective. This book will be a reference for the public in supervising the Pilkada, while strengthening understanding of the importance of maintaining tolerance and harmony between religions during the Pilkada process. Bawaslu will also hold an interfaith supervision festival, which aims to strengthen interfaith solidarity in maintaining the sustainability of democracy.
In supervising the stages of the 2024 Pilkada, Bawaslu is determined to act more proactively and responsively to any reports of violations that occur. Bawaslu will work with various stakeholders, including local governments, police, and community organizations, to strengthen supervision at all stages of the Pilkada. Intensive communication will be built with all relevant parties to ensure that the Pilkada runs safely, fairly, and free from SARA-based black campaigns.
Bawaslu RI is committed to ensuring that the 2024 Pilkada runs smoothly, honestly, and fairly. Bagja emphasized that Bawaslu will strengthen supervision at all stages of the Pilkada by designing an effective supervision calendar and work tools. This supervision aims to prevent any form of violation, including the use of SARA issues in the campaign.
Meanwhile, in the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, the Head of Bawaslu Babel, EM Osykar, warned that SARA issues were starting to emerge in community interactions, especially in daily conversations in coffee shops. With a population consisting of various ethnicities, Bangka Belitung is vulnerable to the misuse of SARA issues. Therefore, his party is collaborating with various elements of society, such as religious leaders, traditional leaders, and cultural figures, to jointly prevent the spread of this issue ahead of the Pilkada.
Bawaslu Kepulauan Bangka Belitung has collaborated with various parties, including religious and cultural figures, to prevent the spread of SARA issues in the region. Through this collaboration, it is hoped that the atmosphere of the Pilkada in Bangka Belitung can take place peacefully without being influenced by identity provocation.
In a separate place, the Executive Director of the Indonesian Defense and Intelligence Studies Institute (IKAPII), Fauka Noor said that the gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial candidate pairs in the 2024 Jakarta Pilkada should not spread SARA issues during the campaign. The use of SARA issues in the Pilkada risks dividing unity and making the community its victims.
In facing the 2024 Pilkada, it is important for all elements of society to actively participate in maintaining peace and harmony. Pilkada is a democratic event that should encourage unity, not be a tool for division. Every individual, be it politicians, voters, media, or Pilkada organizing institutions, has the same responsibility to avoid SARA-based campaigns.
By avoiding campaigns that contain SARA, the Indonesian people can maintain the integrity of the nation and ensure that the 2024 Pilkada will be held safely, fairly, and with dignity. Cooperation and commitment from all parties will be the key to success in realizing a peaceful and conflict-free Pilkada. Only then can Indonesia make the 2024 Pilkada a momentum that strengthens the foundations of democracy and unity amidst diversity.
)* Domestic Political Observer