Tungkus asi sebagai variasi lokal politik penaungan di Batang Ai semasa Pilihan Raya Negeri Sarawak 2021
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Abstract
This study explains the role of “tungkus asi” in strengthening the ruling party’s political power during the 2021 Sarawak State Election (SSE21) in Batang Ai. “Tungkus asi” is one of the local variations of patronage politics practised by the Iban at the grassroots level. During the 2016 Sarawak State Election “tungkus asi” played a role in the electoral victory of the candidate from Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS). In the SSE21, “tungkus asi” once again propelled the candidate from GPS to victory and thus strengthening the ruling party’s position in Batang Ai. This article looks at how “tungkus asi” was practised and its influence on the electoral support of the Iban towards the candidates. This article was based on a study conducted in Batang Ai which involved observation and interviews with the voters and “tuai rumah”. The study found that “tungkus asi” continued to play a prominent role in galvanising support from the voters. “Tungkus asi” remains relevant in the modern political era as it has become part and parcel of the political process and election among the Iban at the grassroots level. “Tungkus asi” not only consolidates GPS political power, but its practice also helps researchers and observers alike to understand the politics of patronage within the Iban voters.
Kajian ini menjelaskan tentang peranan “tungkus asi” dalam mengukuhkan kuasa politik parti pemerintah semasa Pilihan Raya Negeri Sarawak 2021 (PRNS 2021) di Batang Ai. Tungkus asi merupakan salah satu variasi lokal politik penaungan yang diamalkan oleh masyarakat Iban pada peringkat akar umbi. Semasa PRNS 2016, amalan tungkus asi ini telah membantu calon GPS untuk mencapai kemenangan dan seterusnya memperkukuhkan kuasa politik parti pemerintah di Batang Ai. Pada PRNS 2021, pemberian tungkus asi sekali lagi membantu parti pemerintah untuk mengekalkan kuasa politik di Batang Ai. Makalah ini melihat kepada pengamalan tungkus asi dan pengaruhnya terhadap sokongan yang diberikan oleh masyarakat Iban kepada calon yang bertanding. Makalah ini berdasarkan kajian yang dilakukan di Batang Ai semasa PRNS 2021 yang melibatkan pemerhatian yang dilakukan oleh penyelidik serta temu bual dengan pengundi dan tuai rumah. Kajian mendapati bahawa tungkus asi masih lagi memainkan peranan penting dalam meraih sokongan pengundi. Tungkus asi juga mendapat tempat dalam era politik moden kerana amalan ini sudah menjadi sebahagian daripada proses politik dan pilihan raya masyarakat Iban pada peringkat akar umbi. Amalan tungkus asi bukan sekadar membantu mengukuhkan kuasa politik GPS di Batang Ai semasa PRNS 2021, bahkan turut membantu para pengkaji memahami berkenaan politik penaungan dalam kalangan pengundi Iban.
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