Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —
Chairman of the Election Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) Rahmat Bagja emphasized that he would take action against the practice of money in politics by the PDI Perjuangan elite in Sumenep, East Java.
He admitted that he was coordinating with the Sumenep Bawaslu to investigate alleged practical political violations.
Rahmat was referring to the red envelopes bearing the PDIP logo along with a photo of PDIP DPP Chairman Said Abdullah which were distributed at a mosque in Sumenep, Madura, Monday (27/3).
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“Which then indicates the party’s symbol in places of worship is not permitted,” said Rahmat Bagja when met at the DPR RI complex, Monday (27/3).
“That is to maintain the conductivity of the campaign,” he added.
However, according to Rahmat, this rule will be difficult to enforce if it is carried out in the home environment or on private property.
“We can’t take action on private prayer rooms. In our home environment, it’s difficult. We’re talking about public spaces. Places of worship are in public spaces,” he explained.
For this reason, he and the Sumenep Bawaslu will carry out further investigations into the alleged violations committed by PDIP.
If proven, later sanctions will be imposed on administrative violations and summons to the parties carrying out these activities.
“Administrative violations (if proven). We are not (tracing) money politics, because money politics is during the campaign period,” said Rahmat.
Rahmat also responded to the reasons from Said Muhammad who stated that the money was part of the zakat mal which was routinely given to residents every year.
Said, who is Acting Chairman of the East Java PDIP DPD, also admitted that he and the Madura PDIP DPC had distributed 175 thousand basic food packages to the poor during the recess of council members in March. Part of the basic food is in the form of money.
“We urge that there be no money politics. For zakat, we are not allowed to ban it. Maybe it will be fixed in the future. For zakat, don’t use the party symbol,” said Rahmat.
Previously, the Twitter account @PartaiSocmed shared a video with a picture of someone giving PDIP red envelopes complete with the bull’s head logo to worshipers in a mosque or place of worship.
In the envelope depicted in the video, there is a photo of Acting Chairman of the Regional Leadership Council (DPD) PDIP East Java (East Java) Said Abdullah and Chairman of the PDIP DPC Sumenep Ahmad Fauzi.
Netizens’ replies in the link to the tweet also show the contents of an envelope containing IDR 300,000, consisting of two IDR 100,000 notes and two IDR 50,000 notes.
While the chairman of the PDIP DPP, Said Abdullah meanwhile, did not deny the video that was circulating about the envelope with a picture of himself and the PDIP logo.
“I intend the money to be used as zakat mal. And I have routinely done this every year since 2006. Even if there is an excess of fortune, we actually want to give zakat to reach more of the poor,” said Said in his statement, Monday (27/3 ).
(far/ain)
(Gambas:Video CNN)