THE ROLE OF PUNGGAWA IN INFLUENCING FISHERMEN'S POLITICAL AFFILIATION: A SOCIO-POLITICAL STUDY IN POLEWALI MANDAR, INDONESIA

Abstract

This study analyses the pattern of working relationships between punggawa and sawi in Pambusuang Village, Polewali Mandar, which reveals a close relationship between economic dependence and political loyalty in the context of local politics. The purpose of this study is to explore the role of punggawa as micro-elites in controlling the fishing economy and mobilising political votes in regional head elections. This study uses a qualitative approach with a case study design, involving in-depth interviews with 13 informants consisting of punggawa, sawi, and local political actors using grounded theory data analysis techniques. The main findings of this study show that punggawa not only play a role as controllers of capital and distribution of catches, but also as informal political agents who direct fishermen's votes through socio-economic assistance and built loyalty. Fishermen's economic dependence on punggawa leads to clientelistic politics, where political decisions are influenced by patron-client relationships, not just individual preferences. The significance of these findings lies in the expansion of patron-client theory, which shows the role of micro-elites in vote mobilisation at the local level, as well as changes in the dynamics of political power in fishing communities. These findings are useful for enriching our understanding of clientelistic politics in Indonesia and can be used as a reference for improving socio-economic policies that are more inclusive and fair for coastal communities.