Reflecting On Political Identity In The Last Election, Minister Of Religion Grateful For The Existence Of Harmony Villages In The Country

Distribution of logistics for the 2019 Election to the Thousand Islands at Marina Ancol Port, Jakarta. (Between-M Risyal Hidayat)

BABEL - Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said the existence of villages aware that harmony in Indonesia can prevent and anticipate potential conflicts in the 2024 General Election.

"In this political year, villages are aware that this harmony can be a common inspiration to protect Indonesia from various forms of threats," said the Minister of Religion in Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung Islands (Babel), Thursday, March 16, as quoted by Antara.

He stated that Indonesia had experienced unpleasant times and was part of the dark history of the nation and state, when the issues of religious sentiments were used as a tool to seize power as reflected in the election of the Governor of DKI Jakarta and the two presidential elections ago.

"The election of previous years, how religion and identity were used as weapons to seize power," he said.

He believes that what has been done in the Village of Awareness of Harmony in Pangkalpinang City, Bangka Belitung Islands Province, can be an inspiration for other villages, even all Indonesians in maintaining harmony and diversity during this political year.

"I am sure that with the existence of villages aware of this harmony, what is happening in dark history in Indonesia will not happen again in next year's election," he said.

He hopes that Desa Awareness of the Harmony of the Bacang Village which must be explored and developed in other villages in Indonesia.

"It's just a matter of how we explore the village is aware of this harmony and hopefully this Bawang Village can inspire other places in Indonesia," he said.