Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Urges Local Governments to Lead Public Information Delivery
The Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs, General (Ret.) Djamari Chaniago, has requested that local governments lead the way in delivering information to the public to combat the spread of hoaxes and disinformation, which can impact public trust. The Minister emphasised that local governments, alongside the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), must strengthen information management to navigate the increasingly complex digital landscape.
“The digital space is currently a strategic battlefield that must be mastered collectively, as poorly managed information flows can create erroneous public perceptions regarding the nation’s condition. Our true battle lies in the digital arena. If we fail to master the digital field, we will lose,” he stated during a working visit and social gathering with local government officials in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, on Saturday.
He stressed that local governments and Forkopimda elements need to establish an early presence in the digital space by providing accurate information and educating the public to prevent information vacuums. “An information vacuum can be exploited by other parties to spread narratives that worsen the situation; therefore, the government must be able to provide explanations that are rapid, precise, and factually accurate,” he added.
He proposed that regions establish a dedicated platform to monitor emerging issues and manage public information dynamics, involving local government elements, the TNI (Indonesian National Armed Forces), the Polri (Indonesian National Police), and other relevant stakeholders. He noted that information management should not merely be reactive to problems but should involve anticipatory measures to enable the government to control potential disturbances from the outset.
Furthermore, he asserted that the cohesion of Forkopimda is key to maintaining regional stability, as the public feels more secure when leaders work together to face various challenges. “Synergy among all regional elements can strengthen public trust and ensure that information regarding government policies is effectively communicated to the community,” concluded Djamari.