By : Fabian Aditya Pratama )*
The security forces have a very strong commitment to continuing to maintain neutrality in the implementation of the General Elections in 2024. Sanctions and strict action have also been prepared if members are found to be involved in practical politics.
As we approach the year of holding the democratic party and political contestation in the General Election (Pemilu) in 2024, it is very important to continue to maintain the neutrality of all levels of the security apparatus down to the State Civil Apparatus (ASN).
Efforts to continue to maintain and maintain neutrality also cover many things, from how to implement regulations to maintaining communication with each other. It is also hoped that the existence of a digital literacy program in the government sector can minimize violations of neutrality that might be committed by security forces and ASN.
The existence of ASN neutrality itself is an issue that continues to receive a lot of public attention, especially in the lead-up to the implementation until the end of the 2024 elections. From the experience of holding previous democratic parties, it turns out that violations of neutrality are still found.
Therefore, to minimize the possibility of violating neutrality, it is very important to continue to instill understanding and knowledge regarding this matter, one of which is through digital literacy programs.
It could be said that there are at least 6 (six) things that cause the widespread phenomenon of violations of neutrality by ASN in the General Election. The first thing is the bureaucratic mentality which is still far from the spirit of bureaucratic reform which should realize and make ASN loyal to the interests of the state.
Then the next cause is the partisan political interests of these ASN who have kinship or tribal ties with certain candidates, which actually causes the birth of identity politics. Then, the use of the General Election as a forum for exchanges to seek promotions could also be one of the causes of disrupted neutrality.
There are also other things, such as intimidation and pressure from local strongmen who may be too dominant over ASNs in the ecosystem so of course it is not profitable at all. Apart from that, law enforcement is still bureaucratic and involves too many parties and is not yet fully able to provide a deterrent effect to perpetrators of violations of this neutrality. And the final factor is the politicization of bureaucracy carried out by election participants.
For this reason, knowing that the potential or possibility of violations of neutrality could still occur, the Head of the Central Bangka Resort Police (Kapolres) of the Bangka Belitung Islands Province, Adjunct Senior Commissioner of Police (AKBP) Dwi Budi Murtiono reminded all his members to be able to maintain and continue be neutral in the upcoming democratic party event.
He was very firm in reminding all his staff not to get involved in practical political practices. According to him, the task of the Indonesian National Police (Polri) is to make the democratic party a success without any political conflict and also to secure all stages until the inauguration day arrives.
Furthermore, the Police Chief also stated that he would immediately impose strict sanctions on all members who had been proven to be following and practicing practical politics by showing their support and being directly involved in the political activities of certain candidates.
In this case, it is very clear that the position of the security forces in every democratic party is to focus only on how security is in accordance with applicable orders and standard operating procedures (SOP).
Even in whatever conditions and situations, the security forces must still be able to behave and act neutrally in the democratic party. Whether it is when they are carrying out their duties, or when, for example, they are not in a position to provide election security in the field. Whether they are wearing official clothes or not, they must remain neutral.
The Central Bangka Police itself explained that it had provided security for the upcoming 2024 election stages in many areas by preparing almost half of the existing personnel. Preparations have been carried out very well, starting from the personnel themselves to the security support facilities. So as soon as the stages start to run, the personnel will immediately prepare to be shifted to several security points.
The democratic celebration and political contestation in the General Election in 2024 will certainly be able to run smoothly and with full conduciveness if all parties, including the security forces and ASN, can have a strong commitment to continuing to maintain their neutrality.
)* The author is a Contributor to the Nawasena Institute
