Baduy tribespeople want out of June elections<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Four representatives of the Kanekes people, more
\ncommonly known as the Baduy, of Lebak regency, West Java,
\nrequested to the General Elections Commission on Thursday that
\nthey be exempted from voting in the June 7 general election.<\/p>\n
Led by Kanekes village chief Daina, the group told commission
\nchairman Rudini they were forced to participate in past
\nelections, which was forbidden by their customs.<\/p>\n
"This time... because of the changes and freedom, we ask
\npermission to be excused from the poll," Daina said in halting
\nIndonesian and Sundanese.<\/p>\n
"We are forbidden by our ancestors... to be involved in
\npolitics, to lie and moreover to take sides."<\/p>\n
June 7 also coincides with a holy celebration of their Wiwitan
\nbelief system, Lebaran Kawalu, to be attended by about 5,000
\nlocals.<\/p>\n
"It is impossible for us to participate in the election on
\nsuch a holy day," Daina said. He was accompanied by customary
\nchief Saidi and two village residents, Jamat and Sangkara.<\/p>\n
Wearing their dark traditional outfits, headwear and barefoot,
\nthe group brought a letter from their village signed with their
\nelders' fingerprints, stating their wish to be exempted from the
\npoll. They said they would support whatever government was
\nformed. Rudini welcomed the representatives and said there was no
\nrule against citizens not participating in the poll, and no laws
\nobligating them to vote.<\/p>\n
"There are no sanctions for people who choose not to
\nparticipate in the elections. We are free to use our political
\nrights, including the Baduy people," Rudini said after the
\nmeeting. He wrote a note stating his view for the representatives
\nto bring back to fellow villagers.<\/p>\n
"The Baduy representatives said they support the elections,
\nbut asked for my permission to be excluded. I told them that it
\nis up to the people to decide. I respect their culture and their
\nbelief," the retired general and former minister of home affairs
\nsaid. (edt)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/baduy-tribespeople-want-out-of-june-elections-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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