Jaringan Operator “Serangan Fajar” Pemilu Legislatif, dari Tingkat Kabupaten hingga RT

Summary

A *Kompas* investigative report uncovers widespread vote-buying operations, known as 'Serangan Fajar,' used to influence election results in Indonesia. Local leaders, including village heads and community figures, organize money distributions to secure votes for political candidates. In regions like Kudus and Makassar, organizers target thousands of voters, offering financial incentives just before election day. These coordinated efforts, operating from district to village levels, raise serious concerns about electoral integrity, with the system of vote-buying being difficult to prosecute despite its pervasive nature.

Takeaways

• 😀 Serangan Fajar (Dawn Attack) refers to the practice of vote-buying in Indonesia, where money is distributed to voters before the election in exchange for their votes.
• 😀 The operation of vote-buying is highly organized and systematic, with teams at various levels, from district to neighborhood, ensuring the distribution of funds.
• 😀 Local leaders, including village heads and community figures, play key roles in coordinating and executing vote-buying operations.
• 😀 The amount of money given to voters in exchange for their support typically ranges from Rp50,000 to Rp100,000, depending on the region.
• 😀 In Kudus, Central Java, one coordinator described targeting 14,000 votes with a team of 60 people per village, aiming to secure significant numbers of votes for candidates.
• 😀 In Makassar, Jakarta, an individual pledged to secure 1,000 votes for a legislative candidate, using similar vote-buying strategies.
• 😀 The involvement of village heads and government officials in these activities complicates the issue, as many local officials are also implicated in facilitating or directing vote-buying operations.
• 😀 Despite its prevalence, vote-buying remains difficult to prosecute due to the covert nature of the transactions and the relatively small amounts involved.
• 😀 Many individuals involved in vote-buying see it as a normal or acceptable part of the political process, contributing to a sense of mutual benefit between political actors and voters.
• 😀 The systemic nature of vote-buying in Indonesia undermines the integrity of the electoral process and raises serious ethical and legal concerns about the fairness of elections.

Q & A

What is 'serangan fajar' as described in the transcript?

'Serangan fajar' refers to the practice of distributing money to voters before election day in exchange for their votes. This practice is typically conducted in a systematic, coordinated manner to ensure electoral support for a specific candidate.

Who is AD, and what role does he play in the election process described?

AD is a former election campaign coordinator who played a significant role in securing votes for a legislative candidate during the 2019 elections. In the upcoming elections, he is returning to coordinate vote-buying activities in his region, targeting 14,000 votes.

How does AD organize the 'serangan fajar' operation?

AD organizes the operation by dividing it into levels, from district to village (RT), where teams are assigned the task of distributing money. He targets 14,000 voters and manages a network of approximately 60 local coordinators to ensure the operation's success.

What is the budget for vote-buying in AD's operation?

AD's operation is budgeted to distribute 50,000 Rupiah per vote, with a total target of 14,000 votes, although the actual data shows that the number of potential voters reached over 18,000.

What role do local village heads (kepala desa) play in the process?

Local village heads (kepala desa) are often involved in directing their staff (village officials) to participate in the 'serangan fajar' operation. They may also steer the vote-buying efforts toward candidates for the local parliament, as there is a reciprocal relationship where these candidates provide funding for local development projects.

How much does OS plan to spend on vote-buying in Jakarta?

OS, a local community figure, has committed to securing 300 votes for a legislative candidate in Jakarta. He plans to spend about 35 million Rupiah, with 25 million Rupiah earmarked for distributing money to voters, and the remainder for operational costs.

How much money is distributed per voter in OS's operation?

In OS's operation, each voter is given 100,000 Rupiah as part of the 'serangan fajar' strategy to secure their support for a specific candidate.

How do local leaders justify participating in vote-buying operations?

Local leaders like OS often justify their participation by framing it as a form of social or religious duty, suggesting that they are helping their communities by fulfilling certain needs in exchange for votes. This moral justification is common in areas where electoral practices are deeply tied to community ties and expectations.

What is the main challenge in prosecuting vote-buying in Indonesia, according to the transcript?

The main challenge in prosecuting vote-buying is that it is difficult to prove in court, even though it is a known and widespread practice. The transaction often takes place discreetly, and there are few cases where these actions result in legal consequences.

What does the transcript reveal about the impact of 'serangan fajar' on the electoral process in Indonesia?

The transcript highlights that 'serangan fajar' plays a significant role in shaping electoral outcomes, particularly at the grassroots level. It emphasizes how financial incentives can sway voters, especially in areas where voters are more focused on material benefits than on ideological or policy-based motivations. This practice undermines the integrity of the electoral process.