MEMETAKAN AKTOR POLITIK LOKAL BANTEN PASCA ORDE BARU: Studi Kasus Kiai dan Jawara di Banten

Abstract

Abstract
This study analyzed the role of cultural political actors in Banten: Kiai and Jawara. The
political role of Kiai in Banten has risen and fell down. In 1945 until 1950, all of the Bupati in Banten
were positioned by Kiai. Since that time to now, the leadership of Kiai has decreased. In New Order
era, many Kiais were organized as supported organization of ruling party. It was mutualism relation,
ruling party got mass supports and Kiai got material support for himself and pesantren. Jawara are
rural strongmen or semi socially embedded men of prowess who are skillful in pencak silat and some
are believed to have magical power, called ilmu. Some Jawara has been organized by Golkar party,
since 1972. In post-Soeharto era, jawara has been predominance power. They put their family in
many political positions both in executive and legislative. They use intimidation and violence to get
their aim.On the other side, Kiai had been fragmented in many political powers, but still as supporting
actor not as the main one. To fulfill their needs, both for their selves and for pesantren, some Kiais
has done pragmatically and depended on others. The mix of political and economic weakness made
Kiai failed to be a main actor in banten local politics.
Keywords: Local politics, Local political actors, Power