From Spending Billions of Rupiah to the Help of Mystical Power

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Mass supporters of one of the candidates for kuwu (village head) in Kertasura Village, Cirebon Regency, West Java, occupied Jalan Raya Sunan Gunung Jati, Sunday (21/11/2021). They marched on foot to celebrate their candidate's victory at a number of polling stations. As a result, the Cirebon-Indramayu connecting road is jammed.

For most people in Cirebon, West Java, a village head election is a promise to have a better life. Ironically, instead of being a platform for democracy at the grassroots, the village head election, locally known as kuwu, is prone to conflict and money politics.

Hundreds of people dressed in all black packed the road in front of the Kertasura village office, Kapetakan district, Cirebon regency, West Java on Sunday afternoon  (21/11/2021). The wong ireng (people in black) expressed their joy after their candidate for the Kertasura village head position, H. Jadiya, led in the vote count.

The situation turned tense when the crowd marched towards the headquarters of the candidate of the wong putih (people in white), Mohamad Iwan. With only two candidates, the village head election in Kertasura was prone to conflict. Members of the police and Indonesian Military (TNI), with protective shields, were able to dispel the masses so that clashes between the supporters of the two village head candidates could be prevented.

All of the money for such activities came from voluntary donations from the community, not from the candidate.

After having been closed for an hour, the main road in the village was back to normal. The atmosphere became more peaceful. However, the following day on Monday (22/11), a clash almost broke out between the two camps. Luckily, the police were quick to stop them. That's why, even though the election was over, the police were still on guard on Friday (26/11).

Signs of conflicts in the village head election have been seen since the beginning of 2020. Mudi, the head of the campaign team of the candidate H. Jadiya, said preparation for the elections began in March last year. The campaign team conducted a number of activities in preparation for the election such as making uniforms for supporters, visiting people's homes and building 55 winning posts to win the hearts of around 6,000 Kertasura residents.

“All of the money for such activities came from voluntary donations from the community, not from the candidate (Jadiya). He did not have much money." he said.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

Banners of candidates for kuwu or village heads are displayed at the polling station in Karangreja Village, Suranenggala District, Cirebon Regency, West Java, Sunday (21/11/2021).

Mudi said there was no practice of money politics in the village election. However, candidates were not only looking for visible but also invisible (mystical) support. At the crossroads of Suranenggala Kidul village, Suranenggala district, Cirebon, Ratmi (80) did not sleep for a day and night to keep the incense fire burning. On a mat, the grandmother of seven sat reciting something.

Her wrinkled fingers moved the beaded necklace. In front of her were offerings, such as a jug of rice, bananas and tumpeng (cone-shaped rice)

Ratmi acknowledged that she had helped at least 10 candidates in the previous village head elections. Some of them won the election. She received payment after the vote count was completed. “I was given [money for] snacks. I don’t know how much," she added.

Sacred position

The various activities carried out by candidates and their supporters to seize the throne of the "little king” are the manifestation of the sacred position of the village head, or kuwu, according to Cirebon cultural observer, H. Soelama Hadi.

"The kuwu is the most respected figure. The village head is more respected than legislative councils or ministers. During a ceremony, the kuwu sits on a different chair," he said.

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That view cannot be separated from the existence of traditional leader Mbah Kuwu Cirebon or Ki Gede Alang-Alang hundreds of years ago. This figure was highly respected for his contribution in the opening of a settlement in the 14^th century,  which later became known as Caruban or Cirebon.

Due to the strength of the culture, people would do anything to win in the village head election, Soelama added. “Here there were candidates who spent up to Rp 7 billion. The money was used to put on billboards and to give staple food assistance to the people. Will they get the money back after the election? That's why, there is an expression here: it doesn't matter if you have to go bankrupt as long as you become famous" said the leader of the Sandiwara Jayabaya theater group.

KOMPAS/ABDULLAH FIKRI ASHRI

A resident casts his vote in the election of a kuwu or village head in Karangreja Village, Kacan Suranenggala, Cirebon Regency, West Java, Sunday (21/11/2021).

With a monthly salary of around Rp 4 million (US$285), a village head can only earn a total of Rp 300 million during their six-year term, far less than what they might spend during the election. However, as the village head, they can manage hectares of village-owned land and a village fund budget of more than Rp 1 billion per year from the government. This does not include the social benefits of being a kuwu.

Unfortunately, a number of election results are often disappointing. At least five elected village heads had to go to jail for being involved in corruption. The seeds of corruption came from money politics. Voters were usually offered Rp 50,000 to hundreds of thousands of rupiah to vote for one of the candidates.

If this [money politics] continues, the village will not develop because it is led by unworthy people.

The regent of Cirebon, Imron Rosyadi, acknowledged that the head village election was prone to money politics. If the people were rational, they could just accept bribes but did not have to choose the candidate who gave them the money.” If this [money politics] continues, the village will not develop because it is led by unworthy people," he said.

The regent’s statement might be true. Last year, Cirebon was listed as the fifth poorest area in West Java, with the percentage of poor people reaching 11.24 percent, or 247,940 people. The number is the highest since 2018. The Cirebon Human Development Index is moderate, at 68.75, below the West Java HDI average of 72.09.

Rosidin, the director of the Fahmina Institute, highlighted the importance of political education for the people. The code of ethics in the village head election, such as not spreading hate speech, also needs to be further promoted. Religious leaders are expected to help prevent conflicts during the election.

With a democratic election, it is expected that that the best leaders will be elected to ensure the welfare of the people.

This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi.