Bawaslu Asks To Postpone The Inauguration Of The Elected Regent Of Sabu Raijua Who Turns Out To Be A US Citizen

Bawaslu Building (DOK. Bawaslu)

JAKARTA - The Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) has requested that the inauguration of the elected regent of Sabu Raijua Regency, Orient Patriot Riwu Kore, be postponed.

This is because the previous term of office for the regent of Sabu Raijua will expire on 17 February. Meanwhile, currently Orient has a case of alleged election violations, namely having US citizenship during the candidacy of the Regent of Sabu Raijua.

"Bawaslu asks the Indonesian KPU to coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs so that they can accuse the inauguration of the elected Regent and Deputy Regent of Sabu Raijua Regency," said Bawaslu Chairman Abhan in a virtual press conference, Thursday, February 4.

In addition, Bawaslu also asked the KPU to follow up on the issuance of a letter issued by the United States Embassy on February 1, 2021 based on the KPU's authority. The letter stated that Orient was proven to be US citizens.

"This means that it is postponed first. Do not allow the inauguration. We ask the KPU to coordinate with the Ministry of Home Affairs," said Abhan.

Previously, the Bawaslu of Sabu Raijua Regency found out that the elected regent of Sabu Raijua, Orient Patriot Riwu Kore, was actually a US citizen.

In fact, Article 7 of Law Number 10 of 2016 concerning Pilkada, the requirement to become a candidate for regional head is an Indonesian citizen (WNI).

Based on a report from the East Nusa Tenggara General Election Commission (KPU), Orient, when he registered as a candidate for Regent of Sabu Raijua last September, he submitted the requirements for population data, namely an electronic KTP as an Indonesian citizen.

Orient population data has also been verified to the Department of Population and Civil Registration (Disdukcapil) Kupang City. As a result, the Kupang Disdukcapil confirmed that Orient was a resident of Kupang City.

During the registration process, Bawaslu Sabu Raijua has also cross-checked Orient's citizenship status with the Head of the NTT Provincial Immigration Office and the United States Embassy in Jakarta since September 10, 2020.

After time, Orient, who was paired with Thobias Uly, won the most votes in the election for the Regent-Deputy Regent of Sabu Raijua with 48.3 percent of the votes. The candidate pairs, which are promoted by the PDIP, Gerindra Party, and the Democrats, have been appointed as regents and deputy regents elected by the KPU.

Until finally, the US Embassy just replied to Bawaslu's letter on February 1, 2021. As a result, the US Embassy stated that Orient was a US citizen.