Baduy tribespeople want out of June elections

JAKARTA (JP): Four representatives of the Kanekes people, more commonly known as the Baduy, of Lebak regency, West Java, requested to the General Elections Commission on Thursday that they be exempted from voting in the June 7 general election.

Led by Kanekes village chief Daina, the group told commission chairman Rudini they were forced to participate in past elections, which was forbidden by their customs.

"This time... because of the changes and freedom, we ask permission to be excused from the poll," Daina said in halting Indonesian and Sundanese.

"We are forbidden by our ancestors... to be involved in politics, to lie and moreover to take sides."

June 7 also coincides with a holy celebration of their Wiwitan belief system, Lebaran Kawalu, to be attended by about 5,000 locals.

"It is impossible for us to participate in the election on such a holy day," Daina said. He was accompanied by customary chief Saidi and two village residents, Jamat and Sangkara.

Wearing their dark traditional outfits, headwear and barefoot, the group brought a letter from their village signed with their elders' fingerprints, stating their wish to be exempted from the poll. They said they would support whatever government was formed. Rudini welcomed the representatives and said there was no rule against citizens not participating in the poll, and no laws obligating them to vote.

"There are no sanctions for people who choose not to participate in the elections. We are free to use our political rights, including the Baduy people," Rudini said after the meeting. He wrote a note stating his view for the representatives to bring back to fellow villagers.

"The Baduy representatives said they support the elections, but asked for my permission to be excluded. I told them that it is up to the people to decide. I respect their culture and their belief," the retired general and former minister of home affairs said. (edt)