Analyst says proposal to "blacklist" money politics perpetrators could serve as a deterrent

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Political communication analyst Hendri Satrio believes that the proposal from the General Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) to disqualify perpetrators of money politics and place them on a “blacklist” (banning them from participating in future general elections) could serve as a deterrent.

According to him in Jakarta on Thursday, a “blacklist” sanction for such cases would be more tangible compared to mere criminal penalties, which are seen as insufficiently biting, so the proposal is not a bad idea.

“Money politics is still thriving, still growing, and seems to be getting even more creative,” he said.

However, he stated that the real issue does not lie in the form of the rules, but in the courage to enforce them.

He assessed that the Indonesian nation is already very skilled at making rules.

“A blacklist sounds scary, but who would be afraid of being blacklisted if the enforcers themselves are half-hearted?” he said.

There are not a few election regulations that feel strong on paper but are weak when confronted with political reality, he added.

According to him, this pattern repeats from one election cycle to the next, so society is no longer surprised.

“So, if Bawaslu now proposes a ‘blacklist’, I’m not saying it’s a bad idea, I’m just asking one thing: are they brave enough to directly act against the perpetrators, whoever they are, without favouritism?” he said.

Previously, Bawaslu RI member Herwyn J.H. Malonda proposed revising the General Elections Law (RUU Pemilu) to regulate more detailed sanctions against money politics perpetrators, including placing them on a blacklist.

According to him, perpetrators of money politics should not only be disqualified from the contestation but also prohibited from participating in the next election. This sanction is intended to deter election participants proven to be cheating.

“Those who have been proven to have engaged in money politics should at least not be allowed to participate in the next election period, including regional elections,” he said during a public discussion at the Bawaslu RI office in Jakarta on Wednesday (6/5).