Baduy people immune from election fever

Baduy people immune from election fever

Multa Fidrus, The Jakarta Post, Tangerang

Baduy people living in Kenekes village, Leuwidamar district,
Lebak regency, Banten, will not take part in Monday's election,
according to the Banten provincial General Elections Committee
(KPUD).

"Nothing has changed in the Baduy community. They will not
cast their votes on Monday, just as in previous elections," KPUD
chairman Indra Abidin told The Jakarta Post on Saturday.

The Baduy people argued that a Kawalu (traditional ceremony)
was ongoing from March to May and therefore they could not take
part in the election, in order to adhere to their culture and
tradition.

In 1999 they also avoided the election for the same reason,
but at that time the election fell on June 7. The Baduy
representative said earlier that due to changes and greater
political freedom, they had requested exemption from the
election.

"We are forbidden by our ancestors ... to be involved in
politics, to lie or to take sides," Baduy leader Dainah said.

According to Pikiran Rakyat local daily, the Baduy people had
always participated in elections until 1997.

"The senior residents of Baduy considered politics against our
culture. They were warned by our ancestors' spirits. We have to
obey what our senior residents have said," Dainah was quoted as
saying by the daily.

Banten province administration recorded around 4,000 Baduy
people living in the village.

"Candidates for the legislature in Lebak regency will have to
make do without the votes of Baduy people. It's too bad, because
we've made a variety of serious approaches to them," Indra said.

He said that the KPUD only found out that the Baduy people had
requested exemption from the election when the committee was
preparing to establish polling stations in the village.

"They banned KPUD members from setting up polling stations in
their village. They said none of the Baduy people would cast
their votes in the election," Indra said.

Dainah, who claimed to have delivered the request to the KPUD
three months ago, expressed relief that the KPUD finally passed
on their request to the government and the KPU.

"Although we will not vote, it doesn't mean we will separate
from Indonesia. We are still Indonesians. We are praying for the
best, whatever the result of the election," Dainah said.