Allegations Of Election Violations Regarding Envelope Sharing At Mosques, Said Abdullah Is Sure Not To Break The Rules

Illustration of the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu). (Between)

JAKARTA - The Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) will investigate allegations of violations of the election practice of distributing money in an envelope with a picture of two PDI-P politicians (PDIP) at a mosque in Madura, East Java, recently.

Said Abdullah, a PDIP politician whose face was in the envelope, said nothing was violated in the practice. Because according to him, it is natural for legislators to distribute aid to constituents in their constituents.

"For me, I don't violate the rules of the game, nothing has been violated," said Said, Monday, March 27.

The PDIP legislator for the East Java electoral district explained that the envelopes distributed to residents were only for routine mall zakat. According to him, all members of the DPR have recess funds and do the same.

"For me, if it is a zakat mall, it is in the pillars of Islam. If I don't take it out, my Islam will die," said Said. The chairman of the East Java PDIP Regional Leadership Council (DPD) admitted that his party had not been thought of policeing the Twitter account @PartaiSocmed. Where the Twitter account spread a video showing his activities while distributing envelopes at one of the mosques in Sumenep, Madura, East Java.

"If you think about it, what do you think about the purpose of considering? Maybe the social media party (Twitter) has a network in such a way, once it goes directly to the blow-up of thousands," said Said. Previously, Bawaslu Chairman Rahmat Bagja stated that his party would study more deeply related to the video of distributing envelopes of PDIP politicians containing two pieces of Rp100 thousand and two Rp50 thousand in a mosque in Sumenep, Madura, East Java.

The red envelope with the logo of the PDIP's typical bull head was displayed by a photo of a member of the DPR as well as acting (Plt) Chairman of the East Java PDIP DPD Said Abdullah and PDIP DPC Chair Sumenep Ahmad Fauzi.

"After news spread, we checked with Bawaslu Sumenep and we asked to conduct a search of the case. We will review if there are allegations of violations," said Bagja when confirmed, Monday, March 27.

Bagja said that Bawaslu has not been able to determine whether the activity of distributing envelopes is a violation or not. Because, he said, currently it is still in the period of socialization for political parties participating in the election.

"We will review the incident if (there is) an alleged violation. We will determine first (type of violation, ed), because at this time it is not a campaign period," Bagja explained. However, Bagja still emphasized that all activities relating to practical politics in places of worship are not allowed.