KPU Admits The Lack Of Enthusiasm Of Indonesian Citizens In Malaysia In Re-voting In Kuala Lumpur

Commissioner of the Indonesian General Elections Commission (KPU) Idham Kholik (photo: dock. between)

JAKARTA - Member of the Indonesian General Elections Commission (KPU), Idham Holik, expressed his concern over the lack of enthusiasm of Indonesian citizens (WNI) in Malaysia in participating in the 2024 General Election Re-voting (PSU). The PSU was held at the Son of the World Trade Center (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur, on Sunday 10 March.

Idham stated that the enthusiasm of voters to attend the polling stations (TPS) was not as big as in previous voting days. According to him, Indonesian citizens who have used the postal voting method in stages on 11, 15, and January 26, 2024, tend to lose interest in attending the polling stations at the Kuala Lumpur PSU.

"The voters who use the postal method may lose enthusiasm to attend the polling station on voting day," he said.

This is due to the trend of domestic votes that have been observed. Although the Kuala Lumpur PSU is carried out in one day with two methods, namely mobile ballot boxes (KSK) and direct voting at polling stations (TPS), there is still a lack of participation from Indonesian citizens in Malaysia.

Previously, on the day of the PSU, the number of Indonesian citizens present at PWTC Kuala Lumpur was not as much as on the previous voting day on February 11. However, hundreds of Indonesian citizens were still seen visiting the WTC building in the center of Kuala Lumpur City towards the end of the PSU.

Indonesian citizens who come are seen in small groups and have various reasons to attend. Some receive information through social media, such as TikTok, while others are present because they love Indonesia.

However, the atmosphere was tense because the number of Indonesian citizens present was increasing but it was not allowed to channel voting rights on Sunday morning. However, this condition began to improve after the KPU obtained permission from Bawaslu at around 11.00 to open early for voters from the Special Voter List.

The total voters for the three methods recorded in the Permanent Voter List (DPT), Additional Voter List (DPTb), and Special Voter List (DPK) reached 78 thousand. This figure is a database for updating with three categories, namely validity of addresses, multi-plane analysis, and validity of population identification numbers (NIK) and passport numbers.

Bawaslu recommended PSU in Kuala Lumpur after finding administrative violations in the implementation of the 2024 General Election by the Kuala Lumpur Foreign Election Committee (PPLN).

KPU Regulation Number 3 of 2022 stipulates that the recapitulation of the 2024 General Election is scheduled to take place from February 15 to March 20, 2024.