Indonesia: Realizing a Dignified 2024 Regional Head Election Without Ethnic and Religious Issues

By: Feri Mulyana )*

Ahead of the implementation of the 2024 Simultaneous Regional Head Elections (Pilkada), all elements of society must continue to strengthen steps to maintain a safe, peaceful, and conducive situation from various potential vulnerabilities including hoax information, hate speech, or SARA issues that tend to increase ahead of the democratic party.

The issues that emerge generally not only attack political figures who will compete in the 2024 Pilkada, but also attack the credibility of political parties, party leaders, and supporters of opposing political parties. Various negative narratives that are spread often take the form of fake news about identity politics, SARA issues, or other accusations that manipulate the content of the content. Therefore, in realizing a peaceful and conducive Pilkada, it is necessary to strengthen synergy between all parties.

Head of the Division of Socialization, Education, Voters, and Community Participation of the West Java KPU, Hedi Ardia, said that his party hopes that issues of Tribe, Religion, Race and Inter-Group (SARA) or other issues that discriminate against God’s creations will not occur in the 2024 Pilkada. Both candidate pairs, campaign teams, and other parties are not allowed to use SARA issues or politicize religion in participating in the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada.

Currently, the 2024 Pilkada process is entering the public response stage after previously the candidate pairs were declared to have met the administrative requirements. SARA issues not only have the potential to influence and damage the common sense of their readers, SARA issues can also have an impact on delegitimizing the Pilkada implementation process. In fact, the uncontrolled spread of hoaxes or SARA issues on social media can disrupt peace and give rise to disintegration or open conflict in society.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Defense and Intelligence Studies Institute (IKAPII) has asked gubernatorial and deputy gubernatorial candidates throughout Indonesia, especially in the 2024 Jakarta Pilkada, not to raise SARA issues during their campaigns. IKAPII Executive Director Fauka Noor Farid said that SARA issues were not raised because they risk dividing unity. Candidates are also expected not to use the issue for personal gain and to bring down other candidates in order to be elected.

Fauka said that in the Pilkada, each candidate pair should compete in ideas, visions, and missions on how to organize the region to be better, not pit residents against each other to hate certain figures. He gave an example that so far Jakarta has been led by figures who have diverse ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds, but each of them has been able to prove their performance.

Meanwhile, the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) of Bengkulu Province expressed its support for the Government in implementing the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada peacefully and with dignity. MUI also invited all elements of society to participate in this democratic celebration with a spirit of unity.

Secretary of the MUI of Bengkulu Province, Dr. Wira Hadi Kusuma said that his party provided support so that the Pilkada activities could be held successfully in Bengkulu Province. According to him, what has been done can provide positive encouragement for the entire community in creating a conducive Pilkada climate that is far from conflict.

Then, the role of all elements of society, including religious leaders, community leaders, and non-governmental organizations, to jointly maintain security and peace during the Pilkada process. That way, the 2024 Simultaneous Pilkada can run smoothly, safely, and produce leaders who are able to bring progress to Indonesia as a whole.

For the millennial and Gen Z generations who use gadgets more than other generations, if it is not balanced with the readiness of critical media literacy to respond to objective news, it can easily fall into provocation or negative issues such as SARA or hoaxes that are detrimental to the 2024 Pilkada. To prevent and be aware of this, one of the important keys is the support of critical literacy and strong cooperation between all parties.

)* The author is a Political Observer, Nusa Bangsa Institute.