Hans Nicholas Jong, Jakarta – A coalition of NGOs has warned against rising sectarianism and racism during the polls, with political parties expected to exploit issues related to ethnicity, religion, race and intergroup relations (SARA) in their election campaigns.
Indonesian Voters Committee (TEPI) coordinator Jerry Sumampow said on Thursday that, while the election was a democratic event, it could also lead to a rise of intolerance. He said religion and ethnicity were prone to abuse from legislative and presidential candidates, who use the issues for their own benefit.
"In past elections, election candidates often used methods that corner other parties, such as by accusing, insulting or throwing hate words at minority groups, including those who have different religions and beliefs," he told reporters at the General Elections Commission (KPU)'s headquarters.
Jerry cited the controversial remark made by dangdut singer and Muslim preacher Rhoma Irama during the 2012 Jakarta gubernatorial election. While delivering a sermon at a mosque in West Jakarta, he warned Muslim voters about the dangers of electing Joko "Jokowi" Widodo – whose mother he labelled a Christian – and Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, a Chinese-Indonesian and a Christian.
Rhoma, who has declared his presidential bid, pointed out that former governor Fauzi Bowo was a Muslim and of Betawi heritage – Jakarta's native ethnic group. The singer went on to point out that Fauzi's running mate, Nachrowi Ramli, shared a similar profile.
Nachrowi also seemingly tried to offend Ahok by speaking in a stereotypical Chinese-Indonesian accent during a televised debate between Fauzi and Nachrowi, and Jokowi and Ahok.
"Even if the remark was intended as a joke, not everyone liked hearing it. Even if they were actually joking, they hurt other people's feelings anyway by seeing other people differently," Jerry said.
When asked about the Islamic parties that openly use religion to gain votes, Jerry said that it was not a problem. "In campaigns, religion usually becomes the basis of support for a particular party, and that's fine. But don't discriminate against [other people's beliefs]."
TEPI said it had discussed the matter with members of the Election Supervisory Committee (Bawaslu) and the KPU. Jerry said they would create pamphlets and other tools to inform the public and political parties to refrain from using religious or racial slurs to discredit certain election contenders.
"Therefore, when the KPU spreads information [about the election] to the public, they can also mention this matter [using our pamphlets]," he said.
KPU commissioner Arief Budiman, meanwhile, said the commission would take firm action against political parties that resorted to negative SARA-based campaigns. "If they are proven guilty of conducting negative campaigning, we will stop their campaign. As for the legal consequence of their actions, that would be the police's job [to deal with]."