Hargo.co.id, GORONTALO – An unpleasant incident occurred in Pohuwato Regency ahead of the 2024 Elections, where one of the attributes of the National Mandate Party (PAN) in Bumbulan Village, Paguat District, was damaged by a legislative candidate for the Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) of Gorontalo Province from the Gerindra Party, with the initials IU, on Wednesday (20/12/2023).
This was revealed in the WhatsApp Story post by the Chairman of the PAN Pohuwato Regional Leadership Board, Mohamad Afif.
In his post, Muhammad Afif showed the condition of the torn PAN attributes. In front of one of the Election Supervisory Board (Panwaslu) members, he stated that legal action would be taken against the perpetrator if the mediation failed.
“Although PAN and Gerindra are in a coalition, a PAN flag was torn by one of the Provincial DPRD candidates and has been reported to the Election Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu), and perhaps mediation will take place today.
If mediation fails, we will pursue legal action because this is the symbol of the party,” said the member of the Pohuwato Regency DPRD.
Meanwhile, the Secretary of the Gerindra Pohuwato Regional Leadership Board, Amir Sidariman, stated that the issue has been acknowledged by the Gerindra Party and was requested to be resolved through consensus.
“I have conveyed to settle this through consensus because in this election, we aim for a peaceful approach.
Not vandalism, it’s just a misunderstanding. If it were vandalism, it wouldn’t be possible, but I have already spoken,” said Amir when contacted.
Regarding sanctions against the Legislative Candidate, Amir stated that the Gerindra Pohuwato Regional Leadership Board would soon summon the individual for questioning and provide guidance.
“We will invite him for what you call, guidance. We have also called both parties to resolve it amicably. There might be a misunderstanding,” he explained.
Meanwhile, Muhamad Afif, the Chairman of the PAN Pohuwato Regional Leadership Board, stated that the issue has been resolved through mediation by the Paguat Sub-district Election Supervisory Board, involving all parties, including IU, the alleged perpetrator of the party’s attribute damage.
“It’s already safe, Alhamdulillah, so there is no more issue. He has apologized directly in front of the Sub-district Election Supervisory Board and the police,” he expressed.
So far, according to Muhamad Afif, following the guidance from the PAN Regional Leadership, the issue is to be resolved through mediation.
“Alhamdulillah, I have also called the Regional Leadership, asking them to mediate. If there is no solution, mediate again.
If not, then legal action can be taken. Alhamdulillah, it’s resolved through mediation,” explained Muhamad Afif.
He also explained that the incident stemmed from an internal issue between the homeowner and the Gerindra Legislative Candidate, who is also a close relative.
“The motive, I’m not sure, perhaps because he is also a candidate from another party. It’s just a family problem between siblings. And it has been mediated on the spot, so it’s safe now,” he concluded. (*)
Author: Riyan Lagili