Bawaslu Reveals Shift in Money Politics, Now Through E-Wallets and Digital Assets
JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - A member of the Indonesian General Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), Herwyn J H Malonda, has revealed a shift in the practice of money politics, which now leverages technology such as digital wallets or e-wallets. He explained that this shift is beginning to occur in several regions, moving away from physical cash-based money politics. “It has already started to change significantly, and this is our own note regarding the paradigm shift in money politics. For example, the medium of transaction that was physical cash is now shifting to e-wallets, balance transfers, digital assets,” said Herwyn during a public discussion themed “Cashless Elections: Solution or Illusion”, quoted from the Bawaslu RI YouTube broadcast, Wednesday (6/5/2026). To prevent increasingly sophisticated money politics, Bawaslu will form a special unit to handle digital crimes in elections. “We are strengthening cyber patrols. Bawaslu is preparing a special unit structure because we could fall behind if this digital pattern is not addressed immediately,” said Herwyn. Additionally, Bawaslu will strengthen coordination with the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and Bank Indonesia (BI) in election oversight. This was stated by the Head of the Prevention, Public Participation, and Public Relations Division of Bawaslu RI, Lolly Suhenty, during the Launch of the 2024 Simultaneous Elections and Regional Elections Vulnerability Mapping, quoted from the Bawaslu YouTube channel, Sunday (13/8/2023). “Money politics is one of the five largest cases in the issue of election vulnerability at the provincial level,” said Lolly. Bawaslu’s mapping also revealed that there are 29 provinces with a medium category level of money politics. Among the 29 provinces in that category are DKI Jakarta (32.33), West Sulawesi (27.78), West Papua (27.78), East Kalimantan (22.22), Gorontalo (22.22), Riau (16.67), Maluku (12.55), and the Special Region of Yogyakarta (8.33).