The Role of Community Organisations as Interest Groups in Palu City: A Case Study of Alkhairaat Organisation

Abstract

The study analyses the role of the Alkhairaat Community Organisation (Ormas) as an interest group in Palu City, Central Sulawesi Province. As an interest group, Alkhairaat can impact regional and national political policy formation. This articulates society’s needs with the limited ability of political parties due to differences in ideology, beliefs, and goals. This study is based on the concept of interest groups by Gabriel Almond in 2004. This research uses qualitative research methods. The study was conducted in Palu City, Central Sulawesi Province. Data was collected through interview techniques determined by purposive sampling, besides conducting participant and direct observation. The secondary data is in books, journals, reports and other documents. The results showed that Alkhairaat had a role in policy formulation through the involvement of Abnaul Khairaat, who served as a member of the Indonesian Parliament and Regional Heads representing the Sejahterah Justice Party (PKS), Golkar and Democrat. The study concluded that Alkhairaat has a role in policy formulation, both regional and national policies. The position of interest groups in the political system lies between the government and the people. In fact, with interest groups like Alkhairaat, the government must create a space as big as it is and place it precisely because it has helped the government articulate the community's wishes.