Francisca Christy Rosana, Jakarta – Democrat Party Chairman Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) is determined that Indonesia's political climate underwent a change that is burdened with SARA (ethnicity, religion, and race) issues after the 2017 Jakarta Gubernatorial Election (Pilkada).
"SARA and identity politics arose, influenced by ideology and certain understandings," SBY said in a Democrat Party event attended by the party's legislation hopefuls today, Nov. 9.
He maintained that the rise of identity politics and similar issues housing extreme narratives are likened as a disease for the country's politics and democracy, where the public is faced with situations prone to disruption among them.
SBY called for his party cadres to put forth positive political narratives, either members that are running for regional legislation, Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR), or political party leaders. He also reminded presidential and vice presidential hopefuls to maintain a positive attitude toward the election in 2019.