Indigenous Leaders Forbid Bedouin Settlement Areas To Install Political Campaign Attributes

Indigenous leader who is also the village head of Kanekes Jaro Saija. BETWEEN/Mansur

Indigenous leader Jaro Saija said the Bedouin residential area must be free from political parties because it can cause conflicts or divisions between supporters and between sympathizers.

"We prohibit the activities of political parties, campaigns, installation of attributes, billboards, and banners of presidential candidates, legislative candidates, including candidates for members of the Indonesian Regional Representative Council (DPD) in Bedouin settlement areas," said Jaro Saija who is also the Head of Kanekes Village, Leuwidamar District, Lebak Regency, Banten, as reported by ANTARA, Saturday, July 29.

The prohibition of political parties in the Bedouin settlement area, he said, was based on the decision of the customary institution. The local community has so far lived safely and peacefully so that there should be no conflict and division.

Therefore, Badui settlement areas are prohibited from the activities of political parties, campaigns, installation of attributes, billboards, as well as banners of presidential candidates, legislative candidates, regional head candidates, and candidates for members of the DPD RI.

Nevertheless, he said, the Bedouin people support and exercise their political rights to determine the nation's leaders, both in the Presidential/Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia and the legislative elections.

The voting was carried out at each polling station (TPS) in the Bedouin residential area.

According to him, the Bedouin in the previous years were very enthusiastic about participating in the 5-year democratic party.

"We invite Bedouin residents who are included in the DPT to visit the TPS. As for the choice, it depends on their respective conscience," said Jaro Saija.

People in Bedouin settlement areas, he said, are still strong against the rules of traditional institutions. However, he hopes that the 2024 election will run smoothly, safely, and peacefully.

He hopes that elections will be peaceful and conducive so as not to cause division.

Meanwhile, the Head of the General Election Commission (KPU) of Lebak Regency, Ni'matullah, said that his party set a permanent voter list (DPT) for the 2024 General Election with 1,048,643 voters.

The determination of DPT as many as 1,048,643 people consisted of 537,915 men and 510,728 women in 3,995 polling stations (TPS) spread across 345 villages/kelurahan in 28 sub-districts.

"We hope that the public can participate in using their political rights, including the Bedouin community," said Ni'matullah.