Risywah and Election From Islamic Principle to the Phenomenon of Melayu Muslim Community in Thailand’s Southernmost Border Provinces

Abstract

This article is a part of research on “The Dynamics of Melayu Muslim Politicians’ Movements amidst the Violence in the Southern Border Provinces” funded by Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI). The article aims to discuss on the Risywah and ‘Vote Buying’ or bribe during the election in Thailand’s southernmost provinces (Patani). This work is a qualitative research which collects data from related articles, in-depth interviews with politicians’ election campaigners, politicians, academicians, religious leaders. The result found that in the deep south provinces, vote buying is one of the significant factors enabling politicians to win the election in their districts. Also, Islamic principles have been used to clarify the justification of carrying out vote buying and attempt to explain that it is not similar to the concept of Risywah. This study concludes that Risywah is prohibited in Islam, yet many people avoid mentioning that directly in order to make it reasonable justification and subsequently become a general practice in society with concept joining in politics for good benefit. In addition, vote buying seems to be a common value in society.