Bawaslu Investigate Allegations Of Violations Of PDIP Politicians Distributing Envelopes Containing Money At Madura Mosque

Chairman of the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) Rahmat Bagja. (doc. Bawaslu-Bhakti Satrio)

Chairman of the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) Rahmat Bagja ensured that his party would further review the allegations of PDI-P (PDIP) politicians distributing envelopes containing money in a mosque in Sumenep, Madura, East Java. The red envelope with the PDIP's signature bull head logo was displayed with a photo of the Chairman of the DPR's Budget Agency (Banggar) who is also the Acting Chairman (Plt) of the East Java PDIP DPD Regional Leadership Council 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.

Previously, a video circulated of the distribution of envelopes bearing the bull head logo with a typical white banteng PDIP in a mosque. The video was first uploaded by the Twitter account @PartaiSocmed on Sunday, March 26, 2023.

In the video, a man in a brown batik shirt is seen distributing envelopes to the congregation present. The activity was then reported to the official Bawaslu Twitter account.

"Context. Cc @bawaslu_RI," reads the description of the video upload.