Needdem Asks Bawaslu To Coordinate With The Indonesian Embassy In Investigate The Sale And Purchase Of Election Voice Letters In Malaysia

JAKARTA - Researcher of the Association for Elections and Democracy (Perludem) Kahfi Adlan Hafiz assessed that the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) and the General Elections Commission (KPU) need to strengthen coordination with the Indonesian Embassy (KBRI) in Malaysia to investigate allegations of buying and selling votes during general elections (elections).

"It is important that there is strong coordination between Bawaslu and the KPU and the Indonesian Embassy. Because the Indonesian Embassy has strong authority," said Kahfi as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 27.

According to him, the authorities from the Indonesian Embassy will facilitate the investigation process in Malaysia from starting to check the process of sending and voting ballots at the polling place.

One of the efforts that can be done is to check the sending party of a letter serving a post vote or sending a ballot that has been sent by the post office.

"It is very possible to cooperate with the post office in Malaysia which then facilitates the collection process through the post vote," he said.

In addition, with the assistance of the Indonesian Embassy, Bawaslu can also freely oversee the voting process at each polling station.

Thus, he believes that the potential for election fraud in Malaysia or in other countries can be reduced.

Bawaslu chairman Rahmat Bagja said his agency was still investigating the alleged sale and purchase of the 2024 election ballot that occurred in Malaysia.

"This has not yet been investigated, but is still in the process of being investigated," said Bagja at the Election Organizers Honorary Council (DKPP) building, Jakarta, Monday (26/2).

In addition, Bagja explained that currently the Integrated Law Enforcement Center (Gakkumdu) is conducting an investigation and filing because the alleged sale and purchase of election ballots in Malaysia has a criminal element.

However, Bagja has not been able to provide more detailed information regarding the development of the alleged sale and purchase of the election ballot.

"It's still under investigation, the process. It's a bit difficult for us to tell our friends," he said.

However, Bagja explained that initially Bawaslu traced the video circulating regarding the alleged sale and purchase of the election ballot.

"We will investigate the video circulating, we will investigate it. There is something interesting, but later. This is still in the series," he said.

Previously, the Migrant CARE organization reported the alleged sale and purchase of ballots during the 2024 General Election in Malaysia to the General Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu).

Migrant CARE staff Muhammad Santosa in Jakarta, Tuesday (20/2), explained that the mode of buying and selling ballots was by utilizing ballots sent to the post box on the apartment ladder without giving them to voters directly.

Santosa said ballot traders then took advantage of the ignorance of voters. The ballot traders deliberately targeted the postal boxes in a number of apartments.

"They deliberately searched from one box to another. Finally, from one, two, nine, ten, they collected a lot. Well, when they have collected a lot, they will secure it in one place," he said.