Burhanuddin Muhtadi: Identity Politics and Rising Intolerance

Jakarta, PPIM – Political observer and executive director of Jakarta-based pollster Indikator Politik Indonesia, Burhanuddin Muhtadi, said that issues of identity politics were quite related to the rise of intolerance in Indonesia. He mentioned the 2017 Jakarta gubernatorial election as one of the examples.

“Religion is believed to be able to influence voters’ behaviour, and there is a significant correlation between religious affiliations and the supports a candidate receives,” Burhanuddin said.

He revealed that identity politics happened a lot in the cities and regencies where the residents were more heterogenous. This had led to the increase of intolerance in those areas. According to him, such a situation could occur due to a massive mobilization amid political momentums.

“Things were fine before the regional election. But after that, there came sentiments and mobilization organized [by certain parties] in such way that altered people to votes candidates based on their religions and ethnicity,” said the lecturer at the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences in the Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University (UIN) Jakarta

The virtual seminar on Religious Moderation is held every Friday via “Convey Indonesia” official Youtube channel. The discussion, moderated by Convey Indonesian Team Leader Jamhari Makruf, also presented other speakers, such as Sirojuddin Arif, Ph.D, a researcher for National Survey of Political Parties conducted by the Center for the Study of Islam and Society (PPIM) of the UIN Jakarta.

Writer: Andita Putri Ghassani
Editor: Zhella Apriesta, M. Nida Fadlan