64,900 Indonesians eligible to cast ballots

KUCHING: A total of 64,900 Indonesian citizens residing in Sarawak are eligible to vote in the upcoming 2024 Indonesian General Elections (PEMILU 2024) at 153 locations across the state on Feb 11.

Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia in Kuching, Raden Sigit Witjaksono said over 1.7 million Indonesian nationals live outside their homeland, with more than 400,000 residing in Peninsular Malaysia.

“We have collaborated with relevant parties, including consulates in Kuala Lumpur, Tawau, and Kota Kinabalu in Sabah, as well as Johor Baharu and Penang, to reach an agreement that the PEMILU 2024 will be conducted simultaneously on Feb 11.

“We chose this date as it falls on a Sunday, while in Indonesia, the elections are scheduled for Feb 14,” he said to reporters at the 74th Immigration Day celebration held at the Consulate General of the Republic of Indonesia here Saturday (Jan 20).

Elaborating, Raden said his office had sought assistance from local authorities, the Immigration Department, and the police to ensure security measures at all PEMILU 2024 locations in Sarawak.

He said the democratic process would involve two methods: voting at consulate offices on Feb 11, and, at 153 identified rural locations across the state scheduled from Feb 4 to 10.

“On Feb 11, which is a Sunday, approximately 3,000 voters will carry out their responsibilities at the consulate office, with five ballot boxes provided.

“All ballot boxes will be collected and brought to this city, with the vote counting taking place at the Penview Convention Centre here on Feb 14.

“For the vote counting process, we will conduct it from morning until evening or night, and afterward, we will report to Jakarta, namely the KPU (General Election Commission),” he explained.

The 2024 Indonesian General Elections will witness three candidates, namely Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, former Central Java Governor Ganiar Pranowo, and former Jakarta Governor Anies Baswedan, contesting for the presidency next month.