Legal counsel Agussyah Ramadani D. testifying in the regent election results dispute hearing for Case No. 33/PHPU.BUP-XXIII/2025 before Deputy Chief Justice Saldi Isra (panel chair) and Constitutional Justices Ridwan Mansyur and Arsul Sani on panel 2, Tuesday (1/14/2025). Photo by MKRI/Teguh.

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JAKARTA (MKRI) – South Labuhan Batu regent-vice regent candidates 03 Ari Wibowo and Azwar Sazali Tanjung alleged violations by Candidate Pair 01 Fery Sahputra Simatupang and Syahdian Purba Siboro in the 2024 South Labuhanbatu regent election. Ari-Azwar as the Petitioners for Case No. 33/PHPU.BUP-XXIII/2025 claimed that Fery-Syahdian (Relevant Party) engaged in vote buying  or “money politics” and intimidated several village heads.

This statement was made by legal counsel Agussyah Ramadani D at the preliminary examination hearing for Case No. 33/PHPU.BUP-XXIII/2025 on South Labuhan Batu regent election results dispute. The hearing took place on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 in the panel 2 courtroom.

Before three constitutional judges on panel 2, chaired by Deputy Chief Justice Saldi Isra, Agussyah explained that Fery-Syahdian and their campaign team were involved in a money politics violation that included South Labuhan Batu government apparatus. The violation allegedly involved several government officials, including the regent, regional working unit (SKPD), heads of office, district heads, village heads, and other lower-level officials.

"The election organizers' tolerance of the practice of money politics has harmed our interests," said Agus.

The distribution of money ranged from Rp200 thousand to Rp300 thousand and occurred in nearly all areas of South Labuhan Batu Regency, including Torgamba District, Kampung Rakyat District, Kota Pinang District, Silangkitang District, and Sei Kana District.

The Petitioners further argued money politics, which was accompanied by acts of intimidation by Fery-Syahdian for hamlet heads who did not side with them. "They will be fired or asked to make a statement if they do not want to support (the Relevant Party)," said Agussyah.

For these violations, the Petitioners had submitted ten reports to the South Labuhan Batu Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu). However, the Bawaslu had only considered the reports as written information and had not taken further action on them, according to the Petitioners.

Therefore, in their petitum, the Petitioners requested that the Court annul the South Labuhan Batu Election Commission (KPU) Decree No. 800 of 2024 on the certification of the 2024 South Labuhan Batu regent election results announced on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, and the Minutes and certification of the vote count recapitulation from each district, dated December 3, 2024, concerning the vote acquisition of Candidate Pair 01 Fery Sahputra Simatupang and Syahdian Purba Siboro.

"[We request the Court to order the KPU to] disqualify Candidate Pair Number 01 Fery Sahputra Simatupang and Syahdian Purba Siboro as the Labuhan Batu regent and vice regent candidates," stated Tri Sandi Muji Areza. (*)

Author  : Ahmad Sulthon Zainawi
Editor   : Lulu Anjarsari P.
PR : Fauzan Febriyan
Translators     : Nazila Rikhusshuba/FS (RA)

Disclaimer: The original version of the news is in Indonesian. In case of any differences between the English and the Indonesian versions, the Indonesian version will prevail.

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