...if the problem drags on, it will disrupt our democracy—Indonesia’s democracy.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has asked the General Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) to strengthen public participation in overseeing and preventing money politics during the 2024 general election process.

Money politics has been a nuisance during the implementation of every election, he noted at the “2022 Bawaslu National Consolidation” here on Saturday.

He said his statement was based on his own experience during two mayoral elections, one gubernatorial election, as well as two presidential elections.

“Thus, if there are people who deny that there is none (money politics), I will state as it is: it (money politics) occurs," the President stressed.

He also ordered the agency to intensify political education and literacy to ensure a quality general election with integrity and without money politics.

In addition, Bawaslu was asked to strengthen the rules against the practice of money politics, especially since there are still few sanctions issued against it.

"There is a gap (between the number of perpetrators and the sanctions issued). Hence, involve the public to minimize the chances of money politics implementation because if the problem drags on, it will disrupt our democracy—Indonesia’s democracy," Widodo emphasized.

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Bawaslu and the General Elections Commission (KPU) must make clear, detailed, and effective regulations on the prevention of money politics to prevent multiple interpretations of the rules, he said.

These rules and sanctions must also be widely disseminated to the public so that no violators can get away without punishment.

The national consolidation was also attended by chairperson of Bawaslu, Rahmat Bagja; chairperson of KPU, Hasyim Asy’ari; Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna H. Laoly; and acting governor of Jakarta, Heru Budi Hartono, among others.

The general elections will be held on February 14, 2024. The KPU has declared that 17 national as well as 6 local political parties are eligible to participate in the elections.

The 6 local parties will only participate for the elections in Aceh.

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Translator: Mentari Gayati, Uyu Liman
Editor: Suharto
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