The Relevant Party’s legal counsel Liston Habonaran Simorangkir testifying at the examination hearing of the Raja Ampat regent election results dispute case No. 190/PHPU.BUP-XXIII/2025 before panel 2 justices, Wednesday (1/22/2025). Photo by MKRI/Teguh.

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JAKARTA (MKRI) – Candidate Pair 01 Orideko Iriano Burdam–Mansyur Syahdan (Relevant Party) denied the claim made by Candidate Pair 03 Charles Adrian Michael Imbir–Reinold M. Bula concerning the civil servants (ASN) mobilization by Raja Ampat regional secretary in the 2024 Raja Ampat Regency election. It was stated at the examination hearing set to hear the Respondent’s response, the testimonies of the Relevant Party and Bawaslu (Elections Supervisory Body), and to approve evidence for Case No. 190/PHPU.BUP-XXIII/2025 on Wednesday, January 22, 2025.

On behalf of the Relevant Party, Liston Habonara Simorangkir explained that the regional secretary of Raja Ampat Regency was invited into the WhatsApp group “BOM 27” by the group admin Kaudin Taysa after the election. Furthermore, he clarified that the voice note from the regional secretary in the WhatsApp group, which the Petitioners had questioned, was not issued under the Relevant Party’s orders or instructions.

“We know this after the discovery on the Petitioners’ evidence, Your Honors,” Simorangkir said.

He also explained that the issue regarding the regional secretary had been addressed by the Raja Ampat Regency Bawaslu. Bawaslu then decided not to pursue the Petitioners’ report, then issued a notification letter on December 6, 2024.

Also read:

Professionalism of Raja Ampat Election Officers Called into Question

Ria-Benoni Allege Regional Secretary’s Involvement in Raja Ampat Regent Election

Citing Civil Servants Mobilization, Hasbi-Martinus Challenge Raja Ampat Election

Raja Ampat KPU Responds to Allegation of Partisanship

Raja Ampat KPU Denies Allegations of Collusion with Incumbent Regent Candidate

Meanwhile, the Raja Ampat Regency Bawaslu, represented by Irwan Rumbara, testified that they had addressed the alleged violation of Raja Ampat Regency secretary’s partiality based on a report filed by Karyadi, Jamaludin Rumattiga, and Agustinus Jihelmin. However, after reviewing the report, Bawaslu found that the reported party was not proven to have committed any violation.

Furthermore, Simorangkir explained that the Petitioners’ argument regarding the violation by the Raja Ampat secretary was not supported by a clear description of how the violation had affected their vote acquisition. Specifically, it was unclear whether the violation occurred at the regency, PPK (district election committee), or TPS (polling station) level, citing failure to show where the violation took place because they used the word “or” in the petition, showing uncertainty.

Therefore, the Relevant Party requested the Court to reject or declare the Petitioners’ petition inadmissible; and to affirm the validity of the Raja Ampat KPU decree on the certification of the 2024 Raja Ampat Regency election results.

Similarly, the Raja Ampat KPU (Respondent), represented by Yuni Iswantoro, denied the Petitioners’ petition concerning the Raja Ampat regional secretary’s partiality. It was because no recommendation by Bawaslu concerning such violations was received.

Yuni explained that, should the alleged violation of neutrality occur before the certification of the election participants, the report should be submitted to the BKN (National Civil Service Agency). Otherwise, should it occur after the certification of the election participants, the report should be submitted to Bawaslu.

Therefore, the Respondent requested the Court to reject the Petitioners’ petition in its entirety and affirm the validity of the Raja Ampat KPU decree concerning the certification of the 2024 Raja Ampat Regency election results.

 

Also read:

The Petition for Case No. 190/PHPU.BUP-XXIII/2025
Response by the Respondent
Statement by Bawaslu
Statement by the Relevant Party

Author            : Ahmad Sulthon Zainawi
Editor             : N. Rosi
Translator      : Syifa Amelia/Yuniar Widiastuti (NL) (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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