Volume 3, Issue 1, June 2020 Page 27–42

Abstentions in 2014 and 2019 Indonesian : Case study of pro-democracy activists

M. Syaeful Anam1*, Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri2

1&2Department of Sociology, Universitas Indonesia, Indonesia

*Corresponding author E-mail address: [email protected] DOI: https://doi.org/10.21107/sml.v3i1.7307

Article Info Abstract

Keywords: This article discusses how the dynamics of the phenomenon Abstentions among pro-democracy activists in the 2014-2019 general in Indonesia. While pro-democracy activists have increasingly chosen “struggle within”, Pro-democracy activists there are still critical groups that have voted for abstentions in 2014-2019 general election. Charles Tilly’s concept of collective action and contentious Elections politics is used in this study. This study uses a qualitative approach to the Collective action type of case study research. Researchers explore data through in-depth Contentious interviews as primary data and secondary data is extracted through library politics research. The analysis is carried out with the abstractive inductive logic. This research shows that abstentions are contentious collective actions. The abstentions movement was born from a network of pro-democracy activists who have been engaged in advocacy work. Abstentions carried out in against the authorities and the of the election. The boycott choice is contentious politics.

Citation suggestion: Anam, M. S., & Somantri, G. R. (2020). Abstentions in 2014 and 2019 Indonesian elections: Case study of pro- democracy activists. Simulacra, 3(1), 27–42. https://doi.org/10.21107/sml.v3i1.7307

Received 18 May 2020; Received in revised form 28 May 2020; Accepted 2 June 2020; Published online 25 June 2020. M. Syaeful Anam, Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri

Introduction The basis of the abstentions movement is ‘protest’ - criticism of the political behavior Abstentions as a political movement in of politicians that harm the people, and a democratic climate, is considered highly considers alienation. The critical group plays necessary. The democratic system still needs an essential component of participation in and even fosters social movements. The a democratic society. This phenomenon democratic system itself does not guarantee is known as ‘democracy from below.’ The economic distribution and access to justice course of contemporary democracy is elite to all (Amenta, 2005). Abstentions in all democracy, with elections as merely a five- forms of articulation are also part of political year procedural political mechanism to participation. Huntington and Nelson (1980: maintain the circulation of elite groups. 6) defined political participation as “citizen Elections should open the way for the activities aimed at influencing government betterment of life, as Lane (2014) stated. decision making.” ‘Democracy’ and prosperity are seen as The abstentions movement or Golput the same thing, and in many ways, for the (golongan putih) first appeared in the 1971 people, both must be combined. Abstentions Election and was led by Arief Budiman. movements in Indonesia in the 2014 and The target of the abstentions movement 2019 elections could not be separated from at that time was the Golongan Karya democratic actors. Abstentions are defined Party (Golkar). The prefix ‘gol-‘ on golput as active and critical actions in assessing deliberately took the prefix of the Golkar social and political events that occur. Party name. Not just the name, the Golput There have been many studies of logo also copied the Golkar party logo. The abstentions. Abstentions were defined as Golput propaganda logo also used a similar political expressions and resistance to the pentagon logo. However, the middle was ruling regime (Obradovic-Wochnik and blank and white (Heryanto, 2019). At that Wochnik 2014; Superti 2015; Superti 2016). time, golput propaganda was disseminated were made when the government in in public places and with the slogan ‘pick the power was less than optimal in performance. white color.’ That way, the vote could not Some scholars, such as Fachichini and Jaeck be counted as a valid vote. The abstentions (2019) and Plane and Gershtenson (2004), movement was also caused by the dominance focused their work more on the study of of the authority, which was supported voter behavior by explaining the causes of by the Indonesian Armed Forces (ABRI). abstentions’ decisions. Abstentions were also The limitation of political parties as to the expected when the existence of a political three main axes at that time was also seen system and political parties carry more elite as a barrier to democracy. In a structured, interests (Kang 2004; Birch and Dennison, systematic and massive way, the authorities 2017). Some research also stated that ensured victory for Golkar Party. As for abstentions were chosen because the reality Sanit (1992: 190), the abstentions movement was getting further away from democratic was considered as an act of political protest ideals (Blais et al. 2019; Katz and Levin, 2018; based on national issues. The demands of Powert and Roberts, 1995). In addition, the the abstentions movement were aimed at reason for abstentions was also associated the essence of the election as a medium to with political education, especially political achieve the dream of independence. knowledge and information (Feddenser and Pesendorfer, 1999; Almlund, 2018).

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This paper discussed the dynamics of Results and Discussion the abstentions phenomenon among pro- democracy activists in the 2014 and 2019 Abstentions Movement in 2014-2019 General Elections in Indonesia. The dynamics General Election of abstentions were reviewed through the In the 2014 elections, abstentions thoughts of Charles Tilly (2008), ranging movements were present to alternative voice from collective action to contentious politics. narratives by progressive pro-democracy Thus, this research could provide a complete leftists. Abstentions movement were understanding of the abstentions movement, disseminated through the main channel namely as part of political participation and of Komite Politik Alternatif (Alternative alternative paths of struggle in order to Political Committee). The main slogan at the achieve a substantial democracy. time was “Lawan Pemilu 2014, Bangun Partai Alternatif!” (Opposing the 2014 Elections, Method Building an Alternative Party). The network was built by several organizations including This research used a qualitative KP SBGN, KP SGMK, SMI, GSPB, PPR, PPI, approach to case study research. The study KPO PRP, FPBI, SBMI, Pembebasan, LIPS, focused on the case studies of Abstentions PPBI Jatim, Mahardhika Mojokerto, SBM, in the Indonesian General Elections (2014 Frontjak, Sebumi, GRI, and SPRI (Arahjuang. and 2019) which started from the case of com, 2014). According to them, the candidates Pro-Democracy Activists. Pro-democracy of the 2014 election were essentially the same. activists who were studied in the research There were no candidates who provided were involved in the abstentions movement, answers to the real problems of the people. whose primary campaign was ‘SayaGolput.’ In addition, promises and welfare programs The purpose of this study was to explore and from political elites in the previous election understand the phenomenon of abstentions also failed to be realized. Thus, there needed in the General Elections in Indonesia in to be an alternative movement on a national greater depth. scale with a firm attitude and position in the Primary data were collected through 2014 elections. The movement was expected in-depth interviews and secondary data to encourage the people’s struggle. West in the form of a literature study related Papua National Committee Abstentions to abstentions. The informants in this (KNPB) also decided to abstain from the study were the abstentions actors. These election. They stated that they would make actors became key informants in the study no compromise with various products and were selected using the purposive from the Indonesian colonial state. KNPB sampling method. Four informants were remained in the position of abstentions or did selected purposively. Then, the researcher not participate in the 2014 elections. They did got the other informant with the snowball not compromise with any programs carried method. Finally, the researchers found three out by the Republic of Indonesia, especially more informants who contributed to the the presidential election (Suarapapua.com, abstentions movement. Transcript and data 2014). coding was done using Nvivo 12 software. There were three main ideas presented The data analysis approach used abstractive by the Alternative Politics Committee. First, inductive logic from exclusive to general. the 2014 election did not favor the people because of the absence vision and program

29 M. Syaeful Anam, Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri that favors the people and brings alternative generals who have violated human rights. In politics to the candidates. Second, democracy the context of the 2019 elections, there was had not been sufficiently implemented. a war of discourse as disagreements about As a result, elections did not lead to the abstentions emerged the media. transformation of people’s lives. Third, the alternative party vision indeed presented Pro-Democracy Activists’ Vote Not to alternative programs that favor the people. Vote Fourth, the alternative party appealed and invited all people’s movement to unite and The reality of abstentions in pro- position themselves as the foundation for the democracy circles can be understood development of an alternative party. Fifth, as a protest movement. The abstentions the alternative party appealed and invited all movement in the 2019 election was composed Indonesians who have a historical awareness of urban intellectuals and activists in various of the people’s struggle to join an alternative sectors who gathered themselves in a movement (Arahjuang.com, 2014). movement that was not formally organized Abstentions were also prevalent in but had organizational principles, ideologies, the 2019 elections. The abstentions in action programs, and group agendas. It has 2019 election attracted plenty of attention, similar aspiration as it was first coined in as was the case when Arief Budiman 1971, which was to establish democracy in launched Kelompok Putih (White Group) in all aspects of people’s lives. That spirit also 1971. In the 2019 elections, the collective made pro-democracy activists voted not action of abstentions was synthesized in to vote (abstentions) in the 2019 elections. the SayaGolput movement. The SayaGolput There was a clear line between formal Movement consisted of a diverse ideological liberal democracy, on the one hand, and spectrum. Quoted from the information participatory democracy that was more on the Medium platform, SayaGolput was substantive on the other. The most minimal a citizenship movement that decides to conventional definition tended to be limiting ‘vote not to vote.’ to be absent was as a political system, which was different an attempt to return to a more substantial from the economic and social system. democracy. SayaGolput movement was Uhlin (1998) defined democratization as an explained in their manifesto called ‘Kertas encompassing social and economic life. Putih Golongan Putih 2019’ (White Paper Tilly (1978) developed an analysis to of the 2019 White Group) in which they understand the collective actions of civil declared that the people had no choice in the organizations in the events of the revolution 2019 elections. In the current political system, and political dissent in Britain and the the opportunity for the emergence of pro- United States in the 18th century. The people candidates was almost impossible. model consisted of state-making, interest, The big capitalists determined the choice. organization, and collective action. State The alliance consisted of oligarchs, who making was described as a political situation worked with candidates through political that is faced and interpreted into a political and money transactions. Then, after the program. The organization looks at the election, there would be a division of power. problems that exist within the organization. Both Jokowi and Prabowo were elites Mobilization is a choice of political strategy. who were part of the mining, plantation, Collective action is a tactical action carried natural resource, and media bandits. Both out. The state-making situation determines candidates were supported by oligarchs and the shape of the interest and organization.

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Abstentions became a collective action in the The Jokowi-style development ideology 2019 elections when the people were faced also sacrificed several other sectors. Farid with a situation of government policies that Gaban (02/13/2020) revealed that Jokowi’s increasingly did not provide transformation first period was focused on infrastructure to the lives of many people. and had no impact on aspects of human In the Jokowi Government, democracy development. Developments were carried became an amplifier to choose abstentions. out by damaging the environment and often Democracy was carried out with threats and displacing people who should have been the fears, such as criminal threats to abstentions subject of development. The imagination group, deaths because of expressing of human development through Mental opinions, and restrictions on demonstrations. Revolution was ignored. The trajectory of Transparency during the reformation Indonesian development ideology post- period could not be considered as a form of reformation period still revolved around commitment to human rights. Democracy Soeharto’s imagination of development. was only carried out at a minimum level as a Suharto ran a Development Trilogy which mere political tactic or requirement. contained three programs, namely economic Control of the critical group was carried growth, political stability, and income out in various ways, such as utilizing distribution (Budiman and Tornquist, the network of former NGOs within the 2001). Economic growth was supported by government, the use of buzzers, and negative attracting as much investment as possible. labeling to critical groups. Meanwhile, One of the boosted investment sectors was Alghiffari Aqsa (01/22/2020) considered the extractive sector. This policy caused the Jokowi’s rule as a bleak period in the massive destruction of nature in the reform rule of law because politics and investment era, especially in Jokowi era. The reluctance were placed above the law. He also added of some pro-democracy activists to enter that Jokowi’s promise to fulfill the human the system as chosen by several other pro- rights in the 2014 election was also not democracy groups is due to the failure of implemented. Instead, government policies pro-democracy groups. increased the number of cases of human The choice of critical engagement rights violations in Indonesia. Government by some pro-democracy groups, in fact, rhetoric regarding diversity and tolerance also did not make a significant change. was also questioned because the government Jokowi’s policies that were not in line with took no action to resolve conflicts over houses the democratic agenda and advocacy of of worship. Protection of minorities was pro-democracy activists were what drove only a false promise because harassments protests against power by abstentions. against vulnerable groups such as LGBT Election as the formation of legitimacy was went unpunished by the state. protested because substantial democracy has Lini (01/26/2020) added that economic not yet been fulfilled. It should have sparked liberalization by Jokowi encouraged a transformation of public life, especially in policies that were centered on the investors’ the weak urban group, displaced farmers, interests. The alignments resulted in exploited workers, vulnerable groups, the marginalization of the people as the and minorities. Such a situation revealed highest sovereign owner. Therefore, it is that the state markers were far from being not surprising that many agrarian conflicts partial to the people. In Sanit’s (1992) view, occurred where people’s lands were the was categorized as an effort displaced by development agendas. to protest the process of meeting the needs

31 M. Syaeful Anam, Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri of the Indonesian political system, which through election policy by selecting available was seen as not operating the development candidates. of democracy. Likewise, apathetic non- Reflecting on the struggle agenda ideological abstentions occur when daily that affect various sectors, the abstentions politics do not bring benefits to people’s movement in the 2019 Elections could daily lives. The statement was delivered by reach influence ideological spectrums of Alghiffari Aqsa (01/22/2020) in the following pro-democracy activists. Even so, the pro- interview excerpt: democracy activist acted as an individual rather than as an organization. This was “In my opinion, apathy is also ideological. revealed by the Chairperson of YLBHI, When people do not want to vote because Asfinawati (17/01/2020): they feel that their votes were useless, then actually if we retrace it, there is a “So, we are indeed organizationally disconnection between the election and impossible to be abstentions because those the political system with the daily lives of who have the right to vote are individuals. citizens.” However, we see organizationally, and people must have the right to freedom of On the one hand, the speed of politics, including not to vote. The narratives development in the Jokowi period led to an at that time (from the government) were New increase in output in the form of national Order narratives which stated “choosing production or income. On the other hand, is rights and obligations” and that was social inequalities due to differences in expressed by Mr Wiranto.” abilities and opportunities between groups of people also widen throughout the In addition, abstentions were raised as development. It seems that the decreasing the third group, which was positioned as a number of people experiencing absolute buffer to break the rigours of polarization poverty did not prevent the speed of that caused a stir in the community. Even wealth growth of the society’s middle and so, the main factor remained the distrust upper classes. The disappointment of pro- of the competency of the candidates and democracy activists for development was also existing political parties. The available data caused by the impact of government projects showed that the commitment of the two and the expansion of the business world on candidates for human rights was equally land and labor issues. Land acquisition for bad. Reports released by KontraS (2019) government and private projects brought revealed that the Generals supporting both new problems related to compensation and candidates had human rights violation track loss of livelihoods. The problem arouses records. Another problem was the strength those who experience it directly and those of the mining oligarchy in both Jokowi who follow it with assistance or advocacy and Prabowo group, which was opened by work. The same concerns also occur in the research findings from Jatam (2018). world of work between employers and Other criticisms were also directed workers. Various problems that occurred to political parties. Political parties were were related to the issue of workers’ wages, considered not representing the interests workers’ protection, and policies that harm of the people. Alghiffari Aqsa (01/22/2020) other workers in many companies. These believed that the problem of democracy in problems cannot necessarily be solved Indonesia as being filled with actors who

32 Simulacra 3(1), June 2020 were not democrats and were not committed when pro-democracy elements began to find to democracy. These actors were not drivers stagnation in the advocacy of the struggle. of change, but pro-status quo. The quality On the other hand, the stagnation of democracy decreased when development came from the same opponent, namely did not involve citizens’ active participation. “the government and the elite.” Jokowi’s People were ‘forced’ to follow the authorities’ government had become an obstacle in agendas. advancing democratic agendas championed As a movement, Golput 2019 set the by several civil society groups. It could be platform and agenda of its struggle in the said that the regime was a common enemy. Kertas Putih Golput document. The agenda The form of motion taken was more fluid of the struggle departed from the aspect of and dynamic. There was no formalization interest on the advocated issues, aspects of of being an organization. In Asfinawati’s the organization relating to the similarity view (01/17/2020), this new social movement of attitudes, and concrete experiences when no longer had a particular leadership dealing with the Jokowi regime. These structure, unlike the old paradigm. Learning aspects were taken into consideration in from previous movements, the presence of formulating the 2019 Golput struggle agenda. structure brought up the characterizations in The agenda of the struggle was a manifesto the movement. The figuration of a movement of issues and avocation that were being and actually would cause a paradox in the body continue to be fought by pro-democracy of the movement. Often, the success achieved activists. These issues included welfare for by a movement was seen as an individual or the people, agrarian affairs, living space and figure of achievement. The rejection of the environment, labor and employment, anti- characterization was also confirmed by Farid corruption, militarism and military politics, Gaban (02/13/2020): agenda of fulfilling human rights, vulnerable and minority groups, the future of Papua, “I think everyone is well aware. We do improvement of the political system, and law not want to rely on characters. We rely on and justice reform as an effective recovery systems, systemic changes. Who I am or institution. Dandhy is not important. But what can we The struggle agenda were illustrated in do for a change.” the distribution of ideological and advocacy groups of pro-democracy activists who The abstentions movement also illustrates formed the 2019 abstentions movement. These the future of a fluid social movement, concerns departed from the real situation of without leadership and barriers, and all advocacy carried out by civil society groups. can be involved. It is different when in the The sectors included the agrarian sector New Order era when the movement was so and spatial planning, environment, human centralized and structured. Collective action rights, law and anti-corruption, labour, to can occur because it has almost the same vulnerable groups and minorities. They concrete experience. Lini Zurlia (26/01/2020), were the voice of groups marginalized by a Purplecode activist, tells the story of the the country’s development agenda. This process of crystallizing the abstentions protest movement also illustrated the form movement: of shifting coalition from civil society groups with a different spectrum of movements “Collectively, because of mutual knowledge of individuals advocating, their political and ideologies. The coalition took place choices are increasingly visible. Then, these

33 M. Syaeful Anam, Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri

individuals network, communicate, meet In addition, the consolidation of a small and discuss. Then, the manifestations of the people’s movements carried out at each discussions were born.” point saw its political momentum, the 2019 Election. There was room for the movement Bilven (01/20/2020) also viewed that this to enter the arena of contestation of discourse. collective action could be formed because it On the one hand, this was a weak point had the same demands: united by distrust of abstentions. Because the network was of the existing democratic system. Elisa informal, the advocacy for the movement Sutanudjaja (02/19/2020) analogized that the was also based on momentum. When the system had been damaged. Democracy has momentum was all used up, the abstentions not sparked the transformation of public life, movement also disappeared. Thus, there with the tenth indicator of the 2019 Golput was no continuation of the movement. The struggle agenda. Pro-democracy activists interesting thing about this condition was that interpreted democracy as not merely voting the absence of organization did not become a in elections. ‘Substantial’ democracy became barrier in the world of activism. Bennet and a meeting point for abstentions activists. Segerberg (2013) synthesized this activism in the framework of “connective action.” “If that seems like the ideology is not too There are three main characteristics of significant. What is significant is that it only connective action. First, cyberspace political encourages democratization. So, ideology participation in the logic of connective is democracy. The ideology of democracy action is different from classical logic. is substantial. What should be from the Second, in today’s digital world, political people, by the people, for the people but from the oligarchy, by the oligarchy, for the participation is more like an individual’s oligarchy? People only get their votes were personal expression than a group action. taken” (Bilven, 01/20/2020). Third, communication networks become the core of organizing in cyberspace and replace These elements are joined on behalf the leadership and membership hierarchies. of individuals, not organizations. Some Abstentions can be seen as a organizations also declared abstentions in reference attitude when dealing with the 2019. However, Alghiffari Aqsa (01/22/2020) implementation of democratic principles. said that if an organization facilitates, then Abstentions in elections are an estuary for activates, and mobilizes all its resources critical attitudes and disappointment or for the coalition, then it can be said that dissatisfaction of the citizens of the political the institution also supports the work of process they experience or feel. Abstentions the Golput movement. The Golput collective become the choice for those who have a clear action succeeded in uniting various elements picture of the obstacles to the development of of the movement. This condition can occur democracy in political life. They understood because: the function of the election towards the creation of the legitimacy of the political “There is a common enemy. This is a group system. This was revealed by Asfinawati that is increasingly pressured by the state, (17/01/2020): like the political elite. Inevitably have to join. If not, who will help? Including trade unions “When the government is powerful that were fragmented, can be merged, united. (absolute), the bargaining power must be The attitude of the KASBI organization is high. So the authoritarian regimes always try abstention” (Alghiffari Aqsa, 01/22/2020). to arrange elections, so he says, I have 80%,

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90% legitimacy. Therefore I am keen if I want implementation of political democracy, to do anything. So at least, if we can show especially during President Jokowi. During that not all people can not be fooled like that. the Jokowi period, fears of critical groups That is the short-term goal (abstentions).” also arose. The situation was experienced by the 2019 abstentions movement in the Therefore, they knowingly exercised form of criminal threats for abstentions their right not to vote without following movers. The discourse certainly violates applicable regulations to cancel their vote to the right to freedom of opinion that should election contestants by abstentions, whether be guaranteed by the state. The climate of by coming to the polling station or not (Sanit, democracy requires political democracy. 1992). Political democracy in the presidential election is in the form of the right not to vote. Abstentions Movement: from Collective The act of repression is not only done by Action to Contentious Politics ‘countries’ but also by buzzers. The buzzers Collective action is a combination are used to attack people or critical groups of various interests, organizations, on social media. mobilization, and opportunities that have Political opportunities and the power dynamics (Tilly, 1978). The interests in the of resource mobilization influence the abstentions movement are manifested in tactics and strategies of the 2019 abstentions 10 agendas of struggle. This demand stems movement. Digital media has room to from the vision of movement actors who fill the lack of resources and increasingly are already involved in advocacy work. limited political dynamics to mobilize a Abstentions were chosen as a rational way more extensive mass. In some instances, the to fight authoritarian regimes or those who mobilization of the digital world is used as a were in power. Abstentions are the closest social movement strategy. The Arab Spring expression of protest. This collective action that swept Tunisia, Egypt to Syria, the was carried out as an effort to restore the true Umbrella Revolution in Hong Kong, to acts meaning of democracy. Collective action of terrorism commanded by ISIS in various itself has a variety of forms that can be short parts of the world is an example. The form of or long-term, institutionalized or confusing, mobilization also varies, from spontaneous boring, dull or dramatic. actions without command such as Occupy Political opportunity (opportunity) Wall Street, decentralized transnational became an essential element for the networks such as Women’s March, to actions movement. Political opportunities can led by activists and NGOs like Earth Hour consist of a degree of openness, elite stability, and calls for climate change. Social media elite groupings and divisions, and repressive also disrupts social movements. In the 2019 actions. Opportunities and threats or political elections, the pro-democracy activist group situations are taken into account in the Golput movement used social media as a movement because a reading of situations propaganda tool. of tension and politics must look at social The use of social media is filled with control activities carried out by the opposing abstentions opinion. This was done given party. This situation is referred to as the the increasingly limited mainstream media repertoire of contentious. Abstentions are in to provide space for opinion for abstentions a more open post-reform political situation. because the media, in general, framed more However, there is a separate note in the fear of abstentions. Media in Indonesia mostly operates in the spirit of a free market

35 M. Syaeful Anam, Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri where news production is determined the first debate became the start of the rise by the audience and readers. Increased of abstentions, followed by the pros and concentration and media conglomerates in cons debate that accompanied it. Then, Indonesia also play a substantial role and are the discourse on the release of Abu Bakar played by owners by limiting information. Baasyir also affected the issues surrounding According to Robinson and Hadiz (2004), abstentions. The appearance of the Dildo although the authoritarian government has account on Instagram was also suspected ended, the era of democracy in Indonesia by anti-abstentions groups. When looking since 1998 has been dominated by oligarchic at these conditions, the abstentions group at powers. Winters (2011) explains that least managed to frame abstentions discourse oligarchs are actors who govern and control on social media. The fear narrative raised by material resources on a massive scale that the two candidates was that the emergence can be used to maintain or expand personal of abstentions in favor of conservatives and wealth and privileged social positions. deemed unpatriotic. The power of the oligarchy also controls The emergence of influencers and the media sector. For Tapsell (2018), first, central figures engaged in the activism the media oligarchs generally produce news sector boosted abstentions in 2019. When and information as they wish. The same they did something, it indeed increased thing was said by Winters if the media were the framing of the abstentions movement. controlled by the same actors and political Integrally, they are known for their support forces, it was almost impossible that a for groups that were marginalized and critical party or free press would provide removed by the state. Ideas as an argument space to challenge these forms of oligarchic for abstentions and counter-narratives domination. Second, as a result, candidates against anti-abstentions were also widely who run in elections must buy access to the written through alternative channels such as media, which in some cases means buying Medium, Indoprogress, Sorge Magazine and TV, radio and newspapers at the same time. other online media. The increased escalation These conditions make oligarchic forces of abstentions campaigns on social media frame debate and discourse in the public had also increased attacks on abstentions. sphere. The debate arose due to the clash It also made the exposures to the 2019 between the figures from the oligarch and abstentions movement to increase. The the political groups that controlled these massive abstentions movement is due to the media. increasingly consolidated pro-democracy Efforts to mobilize other masses can be in forces that were initially scattered since the form of promoting campaigns on social 2018 (Bilven, 01/20/2020). Even if reflecting media. Abstentions campaigns on social on the election results, the number of media could be seen from the main tagline, abstentions had decreased compared to #SayaGolput, which also filled the Twitter the previous elections, the reverberations trending topic. In addition, the use of the of the abstentions grew in 2019. That was SayaGolput profile was also massive in social because the abstentions campaign was a media, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. collective movement. Thus, the collectivities It fought over discourse along with the complement each other (Lini Zurlia, massive campaign of presidential candidates 01/26/2020). 01 and 02. Drone Emprit (2019) reviewed the The massive discourse of abstentions dynamics of the topic of conversation about makes several parties not remain silent. A abstentions on Twitter. The performance of counter-movement emerged from the regime

36 Simulacra 3(1), June 2020 and the pro-status quo group. Counter by many KPU, TNI and Polri institutions. movements were carried out to maintain Banners were distributed in many places political structures and influence society. which contained appeals to vote. These conditions position the abstentions The call for abstentions was also movement to be a challenger for the regime, conveyed by intellectuals. Mahfud MD the elite, the regime and its cronies to and Romo Magniz were figures who often become members (incumbent). Both were called for the use of the right to vote. trying to build claims and try to influence According to both, choosing was an effort to society and build coalitions. The difference prevent the worst in power, the lesser evil. was, the abstentions movement built Religious organizations also called for not mobilization for protest, networking among abstentions. MUI even forbids abstentions. civil society groups to consolidate critical Meanwhile, NU-Muhammadiyah also called groups, and attract the sympathy of the on its members to exercise their right to wider community. Meanwhile, the regime vote in the 2019 Election. Strong sentiments and its networks mutually consolidated the towards abstentions were called upon by elite ranks made repressive statements and the incumbents. According to Wiranto, the encouraged counter-abstention intellectual abstentions were an act of mischief (Kompas, elements along with government institutions 2019), while Megawati called abstentions to campaign for anti-abstention. as cowards (Detik, 2019). KPU Chair Arief Public officials encouraged the public Budiman stressed that inviting non-voters to exercise their voting rights in the 2019 was not allowed. The Head of Public elections. The use of voting rights was called Information of the Police Public Relations a form of nationalism and patriotism. Calls Division added the use of electronic media to for non-abstention were spread in significant promote abstentions could be subject to ITE media and social media. On social media, the Law. For the National Campaign Team, the campaign not to abstain also filled the social 02 teams did not agree to charge abstentions media discourse. Based on Drone Emprit’s with the ITE Law. Abstentions must be data, Ismail Fahmi’s social media analysis opposed with ideas. Narratives to encourage tool, it was revealed that issues related to voting were also conveyed by influencers abstentions were more often discussed by and artists. Slank and Iwan Falls were two incumbent supporters. Meanwhile, the musicians calling for abstentions in 2019. Ahok topic contributed 31 per cent of the The existence of threats and opposition total volume of abstentions. In the run- from these opponents actually led to the up to Ahok’s freedom, the appeal of ‘don’t abstentions movement, which was previously abstain,’ was echoed again. The anti-absent a collective action, turned into an act of dialectics was centralized on two accounts, resistance. According to Tilly (1978), these namely @budimandjatmiko, PDIP politician changes occur because social movements and @fajrinamaya, who were Jokowi’s interact with the contentious environment supporters. The government itself was also (repertoire contentious) and the availability trying to suppress abstentions. President of supporting factors such as the existence Jokowi signed the Presidential Instruction of supporting resources, coalition groups, No. 7 of 2019 concerning 2018-2019 State and support of other potential resources Defending Action Plan. One crucial point in such as pressure and organizing efforts. This the president’s instructions was the view that opportunity was supported by the division states abstentions were a genuine threat to of the political elite in groups 01 and group the state. The call not to abstain was delivered 02, which were fighting for votes. Thus,

37 M. Syaeful Anam, Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri it was beneficial because it would make democracy, which increasingly does not each group careful in behaving and issuing provide transformation to people’s lives. policies for incumbents. This was evident The target of these demands is addressed to that in Prabowo’s group, sentiment towards the authorities and elites who benefit from abstentions was not adverse. The power of today’s democratic climate. The abstentions abstentions was also formed by ideological movement is an effort to confront opponents, views related to democracy. This was reflected elites and rulers. in the agenda of encouraging alternative There were several confrontations by the politics. Ideology was positioned as the basis abstentions groups, including the following: for the accumulation of abstentions activist resources. The collectivity was advantageous Demonstration for the mobilization of collective action, given that the elements of the abstentions Some abstentions expressed their attitude movement were composed of cross-sector by holding demonstrations. Demonstrations activists and organizations. were carried out in several cities such as Abstentions, even though their Jakarta, North Maluku, Palu and Lampung. presence was just momentum, can provide In Jakarta, one of the mass demonstrators contentious politics which quite disturbs expressed their attitude in front of the national politics. Resistance protests can last General Election Commission’s office. long, up and down. Coalitions do not have The mass actions of the Alternative Party to be permanent, and sometimes differences Committee demanded that the democratic occur among social movements. That space be expanded in Indonesia. The mass of happened at the 2019 abstentions movement. the action consisted of various organizations, The abstentions took place during the 2019 including the People’s Workers’ Party (PRP), Elections, but the dynamic coalition was also the Central Workers’ National Movement present in the post-2019 momentum. Pro- (SGBN), the Indonesian People’s Movement democracy activists who were members of Confederation (KPRI), the Indonesian the 2019 abstentions movement were also Political Congress (KPO), and the National involved in other protest movements such as Union Confederation (KSN). On Thursday, the Corruption Reformation, to the action of February 21, 2019, dozens of people also rejecting Omnibus Law. The socio-political staged a rally by gathering in the Aspiration ties can last until the goals of the movement Park opposite the State Palace. A white were reached, and the opponent provides banner depicting the palm with the words opportunities for change. “I Am Absent” was stretched. They voiced Reflecting from Tarrow’s (1998) theorist, their political choices in the 2019 elections the abstentions can be called a politics of by choosing not to vote for abstentions resistance. As for Tilly (2008), the form (Kumparan, 2019). of abstentions as an election boycott is a disruptive technique of contentious Discussion Series politics. Political opposition occurs when The abstentions movement also held pro-democracy activists perceive the discussions in various big cities. In Jakarta, advancement of democratic agendas as the centre for discussion activities was in the being hampered by the existing political YLBHI building. Several discussion agendas structures and systems. Political democracy were held as a meeting point for ideas and is considered increasingly backward, informal consolidation of movements. as is the case with social and economic

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On August 31, 2018, a discussion with the Article 25. In addition, Indonesia was also theme “How We Respond Abstentions” not a country that implements a compulsory was held. Discussions brought together voting system (requires voting). pro-democracy circles both pros and cons of abstentions. Information channel about “Sexy Killers” Film abstentions discussion was updated via social media, SayaGolput on Twitter, Facebook and The film “Sexy Killers” also filled the Instagram. A few days before the voting day, dynamics of the debate about abstentions, a community gathering was held. The event even though this film did not call for was held on Saturday, April 13, 2019, at the abstentions. However, this film was made by YLBHI building. The event began with a activists’ abstentions. This was acknowledged press conference and abstentions declaration by Roy Murtadho (02/18/2020): on April 17, 2019. The press release explained “That includes the abstentions agenda that that the abstentions were an independent makes Sexy Killers. At that time, there was political intersection encompassing agrarian me, and there was Merah (Jatam), Dandhy and environmentalism, anti-corruption, (Watchdoc). We are gang up on making militarism, labor rights, human rights, legal film projects. That (so that) the community reform and judicial institutions. Discussions knows the power structure in Indonesia, about abstentions were also held on many who, which class was actually dominant and campuses. At UGM, for example, MAP has surrounded the entire national agenda “. Corner-MKP Club discussed the issue of Abstentions and the Future of Indonesian #SayaGolput Propaganda Democracy. Social media was also used to mobilize Press Conference the 2019 abstentions movement. The primary hashtag that was echoed was #SayaGolput. Abstentions activists also held several #SayaGolput was distributed on Twitter, press conference agendas. One of the primary Facebook and Instagram. In addition to momenta was through the press conference #SayaGolput propaganda, simultaneous “Abstentions are our rights”. Civil society actions were also taken using the #SayaGolput coalition consisting of the Indonesian Legal profile photo. The hashtag diverts attention Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Lokataru, the between the massive discourse of war 01 and Indonesian Legal Aid Association (PBHI), 02 on social media. The hashtag illustrates LBH Jakarta, the Commission for Missing the activism of abstentions that was liquid, Persons and Violence (KontraS), the Institute flexible, and not binding because it was for Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR), LBH carried out personally, but was connected Society, conveying abstentions or not voting by a shared concern about the abstentions during elections was the right of every citizen. of abstentions being echoed. The narration In the article Right to Abstentions (2019) allows all people to be involved as people released by SayaGolput, it explains that the who have the same political preferences, right to vote and be elected as part of human who position themselves as people who are rights, regulated in the 1945 Constitution, disadvantaged by the status quo and want Article 28D paragraph 3, Human Rights Law, the presence of change. Article 23 paragraph 1 and the International Covenant on Rights Civil and Politics,

39 M. Syaeful Anam, Gumilar Rusliwa Somantri

Concurrent Abstentions Action election. This choice occurred because the agendas in promoting democracy were The final action of abstentions was hampered by the existing political structures abstentions in the 2019 elections. Abstentions and systems. Political democracy was in can be done in two ways, first by damaging decline. Meanwhile, the social and economic the paper; second by not being present democracy that was being carried out did at the polling station (TPS). The number not provide transformation to people’s lives. of abstentions (not voting) in the 2019 The protest movement was aimed at the elections was around 19 per cent. Invalid authorities and elites who benefit from the had also increased. Of the total valid current climate of democracy. The boycott votes of 154,257,601, there was an invalid movement by means of abstentions was an number of votes that reached 3,754,905 or attempt to confront opponents, elites and around 2.37% of the total valid votes in the rulers. The choice of pro-democracy by Presidential Election (Pilpres). Meanwhile, activists was of course to realize substantial in the Legislative Election (Pileg) there democracy, which as aspired to in the ten were 17,503,953 or four times the number of demands in the 2019 Kertas Putih Golput. invalid ballots in the Presidential Election. The number of legitimate votes for Pileg was 139,971,260 (rumahpemilu.org, 2019). Declaration of Ownership This article is our original work. Conclusion The abstentions movement in 2019 Conflict of Interest was driven by a group of pro-democracy There is no conflict of interest to declare in activists who networked and shared the this article. same concerns. These concerns arose from the real situation of advocacy work carried Ethical Clearance out by civil society groups. There were This study was approved by the institution. agrarian and spatial sectors, environment, human rights, law and anti-corruption, labor, to vulnerable groups and minorities: References voices from groups marginalized by the Almlund, P. (2018). Non-voting young country’s development agenda. This protest people in conflict with the political movement also illustrated in the form of system. Journal of Political Power, 11(2), shifting coalition (liquid coalition) from civil 230-251. https://doi.org/10.1080/215837 society groups with a different spectrum of 9X.2018.1477630 movements and ideologies. The coalition Amenta, E. (2005). Political context, took place when pro-democracy elements challenger strategies, and mobilization: began to find stagnation in the advocacy Explaining the impact of the Thownsend of the struggle. On the other hand, the Plan. In D. S. Meyer, V. Jennes & H. M. stagnation comes from the same opponent, Ingram (eds.), Routing the opposition: Social namely “the government and the elite”. movement, public policy and democracy. The Abstentions were acts of resistance University of Minnasota Press. that characterized contentious politics. Arahjuang (2014). Komite politik alternatif lawan In the view of pro-democracy activists, pemilu 2014: Bangun partai alternative. abstentions were a form of boycotting the (http://www.arahjuang.com/2014/03/11/

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