Jokowi Reminds Bawaslu of the Dangers of Identity Politics and Politicization of Religion in 2024 Elections

JAKARTADAILY.ID –  Indonesian president joko widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that one of the factors of vulnerability in the 2024 general elections and local elections is a matter of identity Politics, SARA (ethnicity, religion, race, and intergroup) Politics, and hoaxes.

For this reason, the President reminded the Indonesian Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) to be careful about this matter and must immediately warn those who commit these violations.

"We cannot relax with identity Politics, the Politicization of Religion, SARA Politics, don't give any space to this, this is very dangerous," said Jokowi at the National Consolidation of the Indonesian Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) which was held at the Bidakara Hotel, Jakarta, Saturday, December 17, 2022.

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The President reminded us that identity Politics, the Politicization of Religion, and SARA Politics, could be an opportunity for other parties to divide the Indonesian nation.

"This could be an opportunity for other parties to divide the integrity of our country, our integrity as a nation," said President Jokowi.

On this occasion, the President asked Bawaslu to map potential problems and possible violations immediately.

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The president also asked Bawaslu to focus on prevention efforts. The President emphasized that Bawaslu should not only work when violations occur, and passively wait for complaints.

According to him, Bawaslu must prevent friction from occurring early on which can lead to social clashes.

"Even the slightest friction is immediately resolved right away, don't wait for it to grow," he added.

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Furthermore, the President hopes that Bawaslu will not only stop at the level of technical supervision of the implementation of the election stages. According to him, Bawaslu must also have an election vulnerability index.

The president also responded well to the plan by Bawaslu Chair Rahmat Bagja to increase supervision regarding elections on social media because according to him social media is often a place to spread issues or stir up society.