INTRODUCTION
People's Stories on Dirty Politics: Beyond the Ballot Box
In the shadow of Indonesia's 2024 presidential election, a staggering IDR 496 trillion (USD 30 billion) flowed through government social assistance programs known as Bansos. The timing—coinciding with the campaign season—raised serious questions about the blurred lines between legitimate welfare and political influence. But behind the headlines and accusations lies a more nuanced reality: the lived experiences of Bansos recipients themselves.
For too long, these individuals have been portrayed as passive actors in Indonesia's democratic story—faceless beneficiaries easily swayed by handouts, criticized for inconsistent voting patterns, or dismissed as lacking political sophistication. Their voices remain largely unheard in national conversations about democratic erosion and money politics.
This project aims to change that narrative. Through intimate portraits of Bansos recipients across five regions of Indonesia—Serang, Pekalongan, Banyumas, Malang, and Banyuwangi—we invite you to step into their worlds.
Mie ayam seller whose political calculations defy easy categorization, based on policy, historical memory, and fundamental values about leadership.
The trash collector and a 40-year-old woman with only a low school education, whose admiration for certain leaders coexists with scepticism about campaign promises, thus affirming their unbought value.
The young railway worker whose historical awareness and critical thinking shape his electoral choices and others whose stories challenge our assumptions about the relationship between social assistance and political loyalty.
These narratives reveal that the path from receiving state assistance to casting a ballot is neither direct nor predictable. Bansos recipients emerge not as passive voters to be manipulated, but as thoughtful citizens navigating complex social, economic, and political landscapes with the resources available to them.
As Indonesia continues its democratic journey, we believe these stories matter. They remind us that genuine democracy requires looking beyond transactional politics to recognize the agency, dignity, and complexity of every citizen—especially those at the margins of economic and political power.
We invite you to listen to these voices, to question your assumptions, and to imagine a democratic discourse that includes everyone's story.
This project was made possible through support from SEA Junction's Small Grants Program "Staying Resilient Amidst Multiple Crises in Southeast Asia" (2024).
Contact:
peoplesstoriescontact@gmail.com