Baduy people immune from election fever<\/p>\n
Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang<\/p>\n
Baduy people living in Kenekes village, Leuwidamar district,
\nLebak regency, Banten, will not take part in Monday's election,
\naccording to the Banten provincial General Elections Committee
\n(KPUD).<\/p>\n
\"Nothing has changed in the Baduy community. They will not
\ncast their votes on Monday, just as in previous elections,\" KPUD
\nchairman Indra Abidin told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.<\/p>\n
The Baduy people argued that a Kawalu (traditional ceremony)
\nwas ongoing from March to May and therefore they could not take
\npart in the election, in order to adhere to their culture and
\ntradition.<\/p>\n
In 1999 they also avoided the election for the same reason,
\nbut at that time the election fell on June 7. The Baduy
\nrepresentative said earlier that due to changes and greater
\npolitical freedom, they had requested exemption from the
\nelection.<\/p>\n
\"We are forbidden by our ancestors ... to be involved in
\npolitics, to lie or to take sides,\" Baduy leader Dainah said.<\/p>\n
According to Pikiran Rakyat local daily, the Baduy people had
\nalways participated in elections until 1997.<\/p>\n
\"The senior residents of Baduy considered politics against our
\nculture. They were warned by our ancestors' spirits. We have to
\nobey what our senior residents have said,\" Dainah was quoted as
\nsaying by the daily.<\/p>\n
Banten province administration recorded around 4,000 Baduy
\npeople living in the village.<\/p>\n
\"Candidates for the legislature in Lebak regency will have to
\nmake do without the votes of Baduy people. It's too bad, because
\nwe've made a variety of serious approaches to them,\" Indra said.<\/p>\n
He said that the KPUD only found out that the Baduy people had
\nrequested exemption from the election when the committee was
\npreparing to establish polling stations in the village.<\/p>\n
\"They banned KPUD members from setting up polling stations in
\ntheir village. They said none of the Baduy people would cast
\ntheir votes in the election,\" Indra said.<\/p>\n
Dainah, who claimed to have delivered the request to the KPUD
\nthree months ago, expressed relief that the KPUD finally passed
\non their request to the government and the KPU.<\/p>\n
\"Although we will not vote, it doesn't mean we will separate
\nfrom Indonesia. We are still Indonesians. We are praying for the
\nbest, whatever the result of the election,\" Dainah said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/baduy-people-immune-from-election-fever-1447893297",
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