Arya Dipa, Bandung – Some people in West Java consider vote-buying in gubernatorial elections to be the norm.
The Indonesia Survey Circle's (LSI) communication image executive director, Toto Izul Fatah, said around 36.1 percent of the community regarded vote-buying as normal. "The survey was conducted with 440 respondents," Toto said in Bandung on Tuesday.
The study, using a multistage random sampling method, was conducted from Jan. 10 to 16. According to Toto, the matter was worth noting given the gubernatorial election in West Java will be held on Feb. 24.
As much as 5.2 percent of respondents thought vote-buying was very common, 30.9 percent considered it quite common, while 60.3 percent regarded it to be uncommon.
Those who regarded the practice as common hoped to receive nine basic foodstuffs, locally known as sembako, and cash.
"More than 50 percent of respondents were in favor of being provided with sembako, while those who preferred cash handouts amounted to 25.7 percent," said Toto. Only 6.6 percent of respondents preferred to be given campaign memorabilia from candidates.
"Only 1.8 percent of respondents preferred clothing and another 1.8 percent preferred other memorabilia, with 13.6 percent not answering the question on contributions," said Toto.
Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) deputy head Adnan Pandu Praja said vote-buying existed in almost every province. "Everyone knows that it is dirty, but it cannot be denied. Why is it tolerated? Because of basic needs in the sector," said Adnan.
Despite being included as a corrupt practice, the KPK has no authority to deal with the matter, as its investigations are restricted by regulations and a minimum limit of money being misappropriated.
"We hope that members of the public who know about it will report the matter to the election supervisory committee. If it [money politics] exists, it is down to the law. We depend on the public to participate and empower supervisory committees well," he added.
The survey also showed the candidate pairing of incumbent Deputy Governor Dede Yusuf and his running mate former West Java provincial secretary Lex Laksamana as most likely to win the election. The pair, nominated by the Democrat Party, was chosen by 35.3 percent of respondents.
Incumbent Governor Ahmad Heryawan and his running mate senior actor Deddy Mizwar were chosen by 27.4 percent of respondents while in third position were House of Representatives' member Rieke Diah Pitaloka and anticorruption activist Teten Masduki, picked by 13.3 percent of respondents.
The survey showed the candidate pair of former Indramayu regent Irianto MS Syafiuddin and former Tasikmalaya regent Tatang Farhanul Hakim in fourth place, chosen by 9.5 percent of respondents. The independent candidate pair of former South Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Dikdik Mulyana Arief Mansyur and former Indramayu regency secretary Cecep Mulyana Toyib were picked by 0.7 percent of respondents. "As many as 14 percent of the respondents have yet decided to choose," said Toto.
West Java, the most populous province in Indonesia, is known for its deep Islamic roots. Previously, a survey reported that West Java was the province with the highest level of religious intolerance violations in Indonesia.
Issues related to the spread of hatred through religious activities were also taking place in the province. The number of cases related to the criminalization of faiths stood at 23 in 2012, 15 in 2011 and 10 in 2010.