A subsidy claims case involving an indigenous organization that recently entered judicial proceedings has sparked public debate. What is alarming is a rising trend that increasingly casts doubt over any elected representative assisting community groups in applying to the Council of Indigenous Peoples for subsidies. If these narratives become the new norm, it would not just harm individual politicians, but undermine the overall legitimacy of indigenous policy and governance as a whole.
Under a representative democracy, one of the roles of elected representatives is to assist community organizations, churches and schools in their constituencies to understand policy information and explain subsidy procedures. This is especially true in many indigenous areas where tribal associations and cultural groups have limited administrative capacity, making it difficult to navigate the central government’s complex subsidy system. Providing explanations of the subsidy system and administrative assistance is a basic public service.
The institutional red lines here are clear. Whether the law has been broken hinges on if there has been interference in the decisionmaking process, improper pressure for personal gain, inflated reporting or fraudulent claims. Any illegal action must, of course, be handled in accordance with the law. However, simply providing information and administrative assistance must not be conflated with criminal behavior — this would inevitably have a chilling effect.
If elected representatives were to keep their distance from assisting grassroots organization’s inquiries about subsidy programs lest they be accused of political maneuvering, it could affect the implementation of long-term policy initiatives for language revitalization, cultural preservation, youth empowerment and international exchange programs. Indigenous policy budgets are not and have never been instances of charity; they are a public responsibility, rooted in historical redress and enshrined in the Constitution. The teaching of indigenous languages preserves a community’s collective memories, cultural programs support intergenerational engagement and international exchange programs broaden students’ perspectives and enable them to become capable interlocutors for their communities.
While the judicial proceedings have yet to conclude, it is also worth reflecting on the tendency to dismiss legal proceedings as cases of political persecution. A democratic system functions because the judiciary is subject to oversight, the administration is transparent and politicians are held accountable. Labeling all investigations as political suppression would undermine the public’s trust in institutions.
We cannot allow the subsidy system to be exploited for personal gain, but neither should we besmirch honest and legal efforts to serve the public. If the subsidy system is dragged into the political arena, we must remain steadfast in prioritizing evidence, procedure and accountability over emotionally charged political mantras. We should safeguard the credibility of the indigenous peoples’ governance — not any political party seeking to dominate the narrative.
Malas Takisdahuan is an assistant professor.
Translated by Gilda Knox Streader
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