Etnisitas, Demokrasi Lokal, dan Komunikasi Politik: Praktik Mobilisasi pada Pilkada Maluku Tengah
Keywords:
Ethnic-Based Political Communication, Political Mobilization, Identity Politics, Regional Autonomy, Local Democracy
Abstract
This article explores the intersection of ethnicity, local democracy, and political communication in the context of the 2017 regional election (Pilkada) in Central Maluku Regency, with a specific focus on political mobilization practices in Leihitu District. The study investigates how inter-ethnic relations—particularly between the Leihitu and Seram communities—shaped strategic patterns of political communication in advancing local political interests. Employing a qualitative methodology, data were collected through in-depth interviews with key informants directly involved in the processes of political communication and mobilization. Findings indicate that ethnic sentiment played a pivotal role in forming strategic alliances between the Leihitu and Seram ethnic groups. Political communication unfolded in three key phases: the establishment of ethnic organizations as platforms for regional autonomy aspirations; elite consolidation during the pre-candidacy phase; and the mobilization of support for the “empty box” option during the campaign stage as a form of resistance to entrenched political dynasties. These practices illustrate that political communication functioned not merely as a vehicle for information exchange, but as a mechanism for collective identity-based mobilization and resistance. This study offers a novel contribution by demonstrating how ethnic-based political communication can reconfigure local political power through the articulation of shared agendas, such as demands for regional autonomy and opposition to dynastic politics. The findings underscore the importance of recognizing ethnic dynamics in local democratic processes, highlighting the need for decentralization policies that ensure social justice and effective political representation at the grassroots level.
Downloads
Download data is not yet available.
References
Afdhal, A., & Hidayat, R. (2019). Perlawanan Gerakan Guru Pasca Orde Baru di Indonesia: Studi Pada Federasi Serikat Guru Indonesia (FSGI). Indonesian Journal of Sociology, Education, and Development, 1(1), 1–16.
Ali, M., Anismar, A., Rizwan, M., Fajri, F., & Mursalin, M. (2022). Patterns of Political Communication Between Government Institutions and Effect to the Trust of the Acehnese People. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Studies, 4(2), 144–153.
Auerbach, K. R. (2022). Accountable to whom? How strong parties subvert local democratic institutions. Party Politics, 28(5), 865–878.
Bans-Akutey, A., & Tiimub, B. M. (2021). Triangulation in research. Academia Letters, 2.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2016). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2018). The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research (5th ed.). Sage Book.
Dinarto, D., & Ng, J. (2021). Characterising independent candidates in Indonesian local politics. Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 40(2), 266–292.
Festianto, D., & Usboko, I. (2021). Modality of Chinese Crossbreed Politicians in Local Democratization. Politika: Jurnal Ilmu Politik, 12(2), 174–193.
Firmansyah, M. F., & Kurniawan, A. (2021). Literature Study of Political Communication Based on Politic Identity and Symbolic Interactionism: The Role of Middle Class in Information of Democratization. THE SPIRIT OF SOCIETY JOURNAL: International Journal of Society Development and Engagement, 5(1), 55–73.
Fox, C. A. (2022). Visualizing politics in Indonesia: the design and distribution of election posters. International Journal of Communication, 16, 4187.
Goldberg, M. H., & Gustafson, A. (2023). A framework for understanding the effects of strategic communication campaigns. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 17(1), 1–20.
Grover, R., & Kuo, R. (2023). Destabilizing race in political communication: Social movements as sites of political imagination. Political Communication, 40(4), 484–503.
Irwan, I., Zusmelia, Z., & Siska, F. (2022). Portrait of t Democracy Practice and the Identity (Ethnic) Politics Struggle in the Local Political Arena: A Sociology and History Review. Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Mamangan, 11(1), 64–72.
Jovanoski, A., & Sharlamanov, K. (2021). Jurgen Habermas and his contribution to the theory of deliberative democracy. American International Journal of Social Science Research, 7(1), 36–47.
Malik, D. D. (2022). Ethics of Political Communication in Welcoming the Implementation of the 2024 General Election. Ijd-Demos, 2(1), 34–50.
Masnun, L. (2023). Contentious Politics In A Remote Area Of The Mollucan Archipelago. Jurnal Masyarakat Indonesia, 49(1).
Mitra, A., & Pal, S. (2022). Ethnic diversity, social norms and elite capture: theory and evidence from Indonesia. Economica, 89(356), 947–996.
Nguyễn, S., Moran, R. E., Nguyen, T.-A., & Bui, L. (2023). “We never really talked about politics”: Race and ethnicity as foundational forces structuring information disorder within the Vietnamese diaspora. Political Communication, 40(4), 415–439.
Nugroho, K., & Windyastuti, D. (2021). Analysis of patron-client political communication in building a network of political power in the village community. Jurnal Studi Komunikasi, 5(1), 110–133.
Oe, H., Yamaoka, Y., & Ochiai, H. (2022). A Qualitative Assessment of Community Learning Initiatives for Environmental Awareness and Behaviour Change: Applying UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Framework. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), 3528. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063528
Pinem, W. (2022). Ethnic Crossing Politics as a Political Strategy for the Winning Candidate Pair Radiapoh Hasiholan Sinaga & Zonny Waldi in the 2020 Simalungun Regent Election. JED (Jurnal Etika Demokrasi), 7(1), 160–174.
Prabowo, E., Hidayat, D. R., Sugiono, D., & Aly, B. (2020). Political socialisation and political communication in delivering political education and being community aspiration absorber in Indonesia. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 6, 235–257.
Priambodo, B. (2023). Political Marketing Towards the 2024 Local Elections in the Frame of Digital Democracy. Malikussaleh Social and Political Reviews, 4(1), 19–24.
Qodir, Z., Jubba, H., & Hidayati, M. (2022). Contesting ethnic and religious identities in the 2019 Indonesian elections: Political polarization in west Kalimantan. Studia Islamika, 29(1), 111–142.
Sabarudin, D. (2021). Political Communication Based on Identity Politics and Social Networking Media in the Periode 2012-2017 DKI Jakarta Governor Election. Jurnal Komunikasi Dan Bisnis, 9(2), 111–125.
Sasmita, A. S. (2023). Ethnicity and Democracy: Managing Political Complexities in West Papua. Muslim Politics Review, 2(1), 112–132.
Scandrett, E., & Gilfillan, P. (2020). Subaltern Counterpublics. In Public Sociology as Educational Practice (pp. 93–108). Bristol University Press.
Siahaan, C., Samosir, O., & Ali, H. (2020). Political Communication Of Christian Legislative Candidates In Islamic-Based Voters: A Study Of The Legislative General Election In Indonesia Reformed Era Of 1999-2019. PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 17(6), 5776–5786.
Siregar, I. (2023). Harmonizing Modern and Indigenous Democracy: An Exploration of Traditional Democratic Values in Ethnic Communities of Indonesia. Lakhomi Journal Scientific Journal of Culture, 4(2), 91–101.
Siregar, Y. A., & Afdhal, A. (2023). Mempertanyakan Klaim Gerakan Sosial: Tinjauan Kritis pada Gerakan Indonesia Mengajar. Indonesian Journal of Sociology, Education, and Development, 5(2), 88–105.
Soedirgo, J. (2021). Quotidian institutions and identity formation: Explaining patterns of identity salience in Maluku, Indonesia. Asian Politics & Policy, 13(1), 56–71.
Susanti, M. H. (2021). Blusukan Culture and Familism in Local Democracy. 6th International Conference on Education & Social Sciences (ICESS 2021), 306–309.
Suwoko, S. (2022). Multiculturalism & democracy education in political and cultural based conflict resolution process in East Kalimantan. Iseedu: Journal of Islamic Educational Thoughts and Practices, 6(1), 28–38.
Synnes, R. M. (2022). Dimensions of Ethnic Boundary-Making. Nordic Journal of Migration Research, 12(4), 379–395.
Syofian, E., Subhilhar, S., Kusmanto, H., & Amin, M. (2020). Identity Politics in the 2018 Regional Head Elections for the Governor and Deputy Governor of North Sumatra. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute (BIRCI-Journal): Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(4), 3675–3685.
Taufiq, A., Siahaan, H. M., & Pramono, M. F. (2022). Religious issues as a message in political communications during local elections. Jurnal Studi Komunikasi, 6(2), 631–654.
Vindrola-Padros, C., & Johnson, G. A. (2020). Rapid Techniques in Qualitative Research: A Critical Review of the Literature. Qualitative Health Research, 30(10), 1596–1604. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732320921835
Willis, R., Curato, N., & Smith, G. (2022). Deliberative democracy and the climate crisis. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 13(2), e759.
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6th (ed.)). SAGE Publications.
Zaini, A., Sumirat, I. R., & Ridho, M. Z. (2023). Identity Politics in Electoral Politics. Politicon: Jurnal Ilmu Politik, 5(2), 137–162.
Ali, M., Anismar, A., Rizwan, M., Fajri, F., & Mursalin, M. (2022). Patterns of Political Communication Between Government Institutions and Effect to the Trust of the Acehnese People. International Journal for Educational and Vocational Studies, 4(2), 144–153.
Auerbach, K. R. (2022). Accountable to whom? How strong parties subvert local democratic institutions. Party Politics, 28(5), 865–878.
Bans-Akutey, A., & Tiimub, B. M. (2021). Triangulation in research. Academia Letters, 2.
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2016). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
Denzin, N. K., & Lincoln, Y. S. (2018). The Sage Handbook of Qualitative Research (5th ed.). Sage Book.
Dinarto, D., & Ng, J. (2021). Characterising independent candidates in Indonesian local politics. Journal of Current Southeast Asian Affairs, 40(2), 266–292.
Festianto, D., & Usboko, I. (2021). Modality of Chinese Crossbreed Politicians in Local Democratization. Politika: Jurnal Ilmu Politik, 12(2), 174–193.
Firmansyah, M. F., & Kurniawan, A. (2021). Literature Study of Political Communication Based on Politic Identity and Symbolic Interactionism: The Role of Middle Class in Information of Democratization. THE SPIRIT OF SOCIETY JOURNAL: International Journal of Society Development and Engagement, 5(1), 55–73.
Fox, C. A. (2022). Visualizing politics in Indonesia: the design and distribution of election posters. International Journal of Communication, 16, 4187.
Goldberg, M. H., & Gustafson, A. (2023). A framework for understanding the effects of strategic communication campaigns. International Journal of Strategic Communication, 17(1), 1–20.
Grover, R., & Kuo, R. (2023). Destabilizing race in political communication: Social movements as sites of political imagination. Political Communication, 40(4), 484–503.
Irwan, I., Zusmelia, Z., & Siska, F. (2022). Portrait of t Democracy Practice and the Identity (Ethnic) Politics Struggle in the Local Political Arena: A Sociology and History Review. Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Mamangan, 11(1), 64–72.
Jovanoski, A., & Sharlamanov, K. (2021). Jurgen Habermas and his contribution to the theory of deliberative democracy. American International Journal of Social Science Research, 7(1), 36–47.
Malik, D. D. (2022). Ethics of Political Communication in Welcoming the Implementation of the 2024 General Election. Ijd-Demos, 2(1), 34–50.
Masnun, L. (2023). Contentious Politics In A Remote Area Of The Mollucan Archipelago. Jurnal Masyarakat Indonesia, 49(1).
Mitra, A., & Pal, S. (2022). Ethnic diversity, social norms and elite capture: theory and evidence from Indonesia. Economica, 89(356), 947–996.
Nguyễn, S., Moran, R. E., Nguyen, T.-A., & Bui, L. (2023). “We never really talked about politics”: Race and ethnicity as foundational forces structuring information disorder within the Vietnamese diaspora. Political Communication, 40(4), 415–439.
Nugroho, K., & Windyastuti, D. (2021). Analysis of patron-client political communication in building a network of political power in the village community. Jurnal Studi Komunikasi, 5(1), 110–133.
Oe, H., Yamaoka, Y., & Ochiai, H. (2022). A Qualitative Assessment of Community Learning Initiatives for Environmental Awareness and Behaviour Change: Applying UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) Framework. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(6), 3528. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19063528
Pinem, W. (2022). Ethnic Crossing Politics as a Political Strategy for the Winning Candidate Pair Radiapoh Hasiholan Sinaga & Zonny Waldi in the 2020 Simalungun Regent Election. JED (Jurnal Etika Demokrasi), 7(1), 160–174.
Prabowo, E., Hidayat, D. R., Sugiono, D., & Aly, B. (2020). Political socialisation and political communication in delivering political education and being community aspiration absorber in Indonesia. International Journal of Innovation, Creativity and Change, 6, 235–257.
Priambodo, B. (2023). Political Marketing Towards the 2024 Local Elections in the Frame of Digital Democracy. Malikussaleh Social and Political Reviews, 4(1), 19–24.
Qodir, Z., Jubba, H., & Hidayati, M. (2022). Contesting ethnic and religious identities in the 2019 Indonesian elections: Political polarization in west Kalimantan. Studia Islamika, 29(1), 111–142.
Sabarudin, D. (2021). Political Communication Based on Identity Politics and Social Networking Media in the Periode 2012-2017 DKI Jakarta Governor Election. Jurnal Komunikasi Dan Bisnis, 9(2), 111–125.
Sasmita, A. S. (2023). Ethnicity and Democracy: Managing Political Complexities in West Papua. Muslim Politics Review, 2(1), 112–132.
Scandrett, E., & Gilfillan, P. (2020). Subaltern Counterpublics. In Public Sociology as Educational Practice (pp. 93–108). Bristol University Press.
Siahaan, C., Samosir, O., & Ali, H. (2020). Political Communication Of Christian Legislative Candidates In Islamic-Based Voters: A Study Of The Legislative General Election In Indonesia Reformed Era Of 1999-2019. PalArch’s Journal of Archaeology of Egypt/Egyptology, 17(6), 5776–5786.
Siregar, I. (2023). Harmonizing Modern and Indigenous Democracy: An Exploration of Traditional Democratic Values in Ethnic Communities of Indonesia. Lakhomi Journal Scientific Journal of Culture, 4(2), 91–101.
Siregar, Y. A., & Afdhal, A. (2023). Mempertanyakan Klaim Gerakan Sosial: Tinjauan Kritis pada Gerakan Indonesia Mengajar. Indonesian Journal of Sociology, Education, and Development, 5(2), 88–105.
Soedirgo, J. (2021). Quotidian institutions and identity formation: Explaining patterns of identity salience in Maluku, Indonesia. Asian Politics & Policy, 13(1), 56–71.
Susanti, M. H. (2021). Blusukan Culture and Familism in Local Democracy. 6th International Conference on Education & Social Sciences (ICESS 2021), 306–309.
Suwoko, S. (2022). Multiculturalism & democracy education in political and cultural based conflict resolution process in East Kalimantan. Iseedu: Journal of Islamic Educational Thoughts and Practices, 6(1), 28–38.
Synnes, R. M. (2022). Dimensions of Ethnic Boundary-Making. Nordic Journal of Migration Research, 12(4), 379–395.
Syofian, E., Subhilhar, S., Kusmanto, H., & Amin, M. (2020). Identity Politics in the 2018 Regional Head Elections for the Governor and Deputy Governor of North Sumatra. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute (BIRCI-Journal): Humanities and Social Sciences, 3(4), 3675–3685.
Taufiq, A., Siahaan, H. M., & Pramono, M. F. (2022). Religious issues as a message in political communications during local elections. Jurnal Studi Komunikasi, 6(2), 631–654.
Vindrola-Padros, C., & Johnson, G. A. (2020). Rapid Techniques in Qualitative Research: A Critical Review of the Literature. Qualitative Health Research, 30(10), 1596–1604. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732320921835
Willis, R., Curato, N., & Smith, G. (2022). Deliberative democracy and the climate crisis. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, 13(2), e759.
Yin, R. K. (2018). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods (6th (ed.)). SAGE Publications.
Zaini, A., Sumirat, I. R., & Ridho, M. Z. (2023). Identity Politics in Electoral Politics. Politicon: Jurnal Ilmu Politik, 5(2), 137–162.
Published
2023-10-30
How to Cite
Hijrah, H., Lestaluhu, S., & Jaali, L. (2023). Etnisitas, Demokrasi Lokal, dan Komunikasi Politik: Praktik Mobilisasi pada Pilkada Maluku Tengah. Populis: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial Dan Ilmu Politik, 16(2), 206-220. https://doi.org/10.30598/populisvol16iss2pp206-220
Section
Articles
Copyright (c) 2023 Author(s)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
n is distributed under 