Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Dismisses Viral Riot Videos as Hoaxes, Vows Firm Action

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam) Djamari Chaniago has responded to the circulation of videos on social media depicting large-scale riots, asserting that the videos are hoaxes and vowing to take firm action against those spreading them. The statement was made following a closed-door meeting on ‘Synergy in Maintaining Political and National Security’ at the Coordinating Ministry for Political and Security Affairs office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday (5/8/2026). The meeting was attended by Indonesian Military Commander General Agus Subiyanto, National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, Attorney General ST Burhanuddin, and Head of the State Intelligence Agency (BIN) Muhammad Herindra.

Djamari responded to the circulation of several videos on social media that narrated large-scale demonstrations. He confirmed the videos were false and disseminated to incite unrest. “I state that the video is not true. There is no such thing in Indonesia, in our homeland, those are hoaxes. Perhaps it is from the past. At present, there is nothing like that,” Djamari said in response to reporters’ questions. He assured that the security and intelligence apparatus had worked diligently to monitor the situation, and no such actions as depicted in the viral videos were found. “We have worked seriously with strong, hard effort together with the Commander, the National Police Chief, and the BIN Chief, who always provide information. There is absolutely nothing. We did not find anything at all,” he explained.

Regarding the accounts spreading the information, Djamari stated that the government is conducting an in-depth investigation. He stressed that if indications of criminal violations are found, the government will not hesitate to take legal action. “Whose account is this? There is an account, we will find it,” Djamari asserted. “As I said earlier, if it happens that there are indications and it meets the provisions for violating criminal law, we will do it. We will take very firm action,” he continued. Djamari admitted he had coordinated directly with the National Police Chief and the Attorney General to execute the necessary legal steps. The government, he added, cannot merely issue appeals if the content has already disturbed the public.

“In such law enforcement, we certainly have no compromise. Once it disrupts the wider public interest, we will take very measured actions,” Djamari explained. He further reminded the public to be vigilant against social media content containing disinformation, slander, and hate speech. According to him, such content has the potential to ‘manipulate’ people’s minds and create pessimism. “If it truly pollutes and shapes the minds of the nation’s children, pessimistic people will emerge when they look at this nation. Even though it is not like that,” he said. Therefore, Djamari urged the spreaders of provocation to come to their senses immediately. He stated that national stability and public peace are far more important. “To whoever often does this, wake up. Realise that this nation needs peace. This country, this nation, these people need peace in living their lives,” Djamari concluded.