By : Joanna Alexandra Putri )*
Amid the roar of preparations for the 2024 regional head elections (Pilkada), voices rejecting identity politics are increasingly being heard. This joint action is not only about maintaining the integrity of the nation, but also about creating a healthier and fairer democratic space.
On the way to a democratic party, let’s maintain unity and focus on constructive visions and programs, not on divisive differences. Let’s build awareness together that differences are a strength, not a political tool.
Ahead of the 2024 regional elections, it is important for all of us to work together to reject identity politics. In this context, the Head of the Regional Office of the Ministry of Religion, West Kalimantan (Kalbar), Muhajirin Yanis, has given a very relevant appeal. He emphasized that participants in the democratic party must avoid identity politics to achieve peace and harmonization in West Kalimantan.
Collaborating with various elements of society, including religious and community leaders, the Muhajirin underlined that places of worship should not be used as a means for political campaigns. Campaigns that focus on identity politics will only worsen the atmosphere and threaten the harmony that has been maintained. Muhajirin invites all parties to campaign without using identity politics, as a form of commitment to peaceful and harmonious regional elections.
At the Seminar on Strengthening Religious Moderation for Harmony Actors which took place in Pontianak, the theme “Collaboration and Synergy to Realize Peaceful Regional Elections in West Kalimantan in 2024” was the main highlight. This seminar presented various speakers who emphasized the importance of the active role of religious and community leaders in maintaining a conducive atmosphere ahead of the Pilkada.
Muhajirin emphasized that we must be cool in the midst of heated political temperatures, by providing an understanding that differences in choices are normal, but maintaining harmony is a must.
Tolerance and understanding of differences are the main keys in creating a peaceful regional election atmosphere. Muhajirin emphasized that tolerance can only be realized when we understand each other’s differences. It is impossible to be a moderate person without justice, and when we have an understanding of moderation, justice and harmony can be realized.
Head of the West Kalimantan Kesbangpol Agency, Manto, also gave his views on the importance of maintaining a peaceful regional election atmosphere. He emphasized that all candidates who will run for the 2024 regional elections are the best sons of West Kalimantan, and the role of the community is to maintain harmony and order during the election process. Manto added that the role of all of us is to cool the heated atmosphere.
Chairman of the West Kalimantan FKUB, Ibrahim, added that the FKUB together with moderate harmony actors played an active role in overseeing the 2024 Regional Elections. They acted as pioneers to ensure that the Regional Elections ran safely, peacefully, freely and fairly.
The peaceful declaration from all seminar participants underlines their commitment to maintaining a conducive social security and social security situation in West Kalimantan during the 2024 regional elections. This declaration emphasizes that the use of identity politics has no place in a healthy and fair democracy, and emphasizes the importance of collaboration and synergy in realizing peaceful regional elections.
Meanwhile, in Jakarta, the DKI Jakarta Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) has begun mapping vulnerabilities in the implementation of the 2024 Pilkada. The Coordinator of the DKI Bawaslu Violation Handling Division, Benny Sabdo, revealed that this effort was carried out by looking at the figures who would compete as candidates for governor and deputy governor of Jakarta .
Starting from identity politics to dynasty politics is their main concern, even though these candidates do not yet exist. This mapping was also motivated by the experience of holding previous periods, such as the 2017 Pilkada which was very violent and gave rise to volumes of demonstrations.
Benny added that the politicization of SARA and identity politics in the 2017 regional elections really divided society at the lower levels. Therefore, mapping the vulnerability of the 2024 Jakarta Pilkada is an important step in anticipating the potential for similar conflicts. In this case, Bawaslu’s role is very crucial to ensure that the 2024 Pilkada runs peacefully and fairly.
The call to reject identity politics in the 2024 regional elections is not just a moral call. This is a call for all of us, as citizens who care about the future of the nation. Identity politics, in all its forms, will only divide us.
Meanwhile, collaboration and synergy are the keys to realizing peaceful and democratic regional elections. Let’s make the 2024 regional elections a moment to strengthen unity and maintain the integrity of the nation. Together, we can create a cooler and more peaceful political atmosphere.
Regional elections are not only about choosing leaders, but also about how we, as a society, participate in the democratic process in a healthy and civilized way. Let’s reject identity politics and move towards a more harmonious and just future. The 2024 regional elections are our opportunity to show that we can unite despite our differences and still maintain harmony.
)* The author is a contributor to the Jeka Media Institute
