Regarding The Stabbing, The Witness Of The Sampang Regional Head Election, The East Java Bawaslu Carried Out An Investigation

Chairman of the Indonesian Bawaslu Rahmat Bagja answered reporters' questions in Jakarta, Tuesday (19/11/2024). (ANTARA/Fath Putra Mulya)

Chairman of the Indonesian General Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) Rahmat Bagja said the East Java Province Bawaslu (East Java) was investigating the stabbing incident related to the Regional Head Election of Sampang Regency, Madura which resulted in the death of one person.

"What happened in Sampang should be regretted and now friends are with friends from the Gakkumdu Center (Integrated Law Enforcement) and the police to supervise this case. From Bawaslu, East Java to Sampang," Bagja said when met in Jakarta, Tuesday, November 19, confiscated by Antara.

Bagja regretted that the stabbing incident that happened to the supporters of one of the pairs of candidates for regent and deputy regent of Sampang. According to him, no life should be lost in the election.

Bagja also emphasized that the regional elections are a process of changing power that must be carried out peacefully. Therefore, there should not be violence that occurs in the regional elections.

"We choose a certain partner, it's okay. It doesn't have to be exchanged for life. This is not worth it and also don't let it be because of differences of opinion and then committing violence, that's what the election avoids," he said.

On the other hand, Bagja admits that Sampang is one of the most vulnerable areas in the 2024 Pilkada. "So we have predicted that there will be things that may have been bags (troshes) between grassroots that shouldn't have happened," he said.

Previously, the stabbing incident against Jimmy Sugito Putra, a resident of Ketapang Laok Village, Ketapang District, Sampang Regency, occurred on Sunday, November 17.

Jimmy is a witness from the candidate pair for regent and deputy regent of Sampang number 2, Slamet Junaidi-Achmad Mahfudz (Saktah).

The bloody incident began when Slamet Junaidi visited one of the religious leaders in Ketapang. He was intercepted by a mob armed with sickles, but managed to escape on another road.

The contractors then entered the area where Slamet Junaidi visited. A number of people had an argument, until finally there was persecution.

The victim was rushed to Ketapang Hospital, but his life could not be saved because he suffered an active bleeding due to a sharp weapon on his face, back, and hands. The victim died on Sunday 17 November at 17.15 WIB.