Coordinating Minister: Social Media Accounts Spreading Demo Hoaxes Face Criminal Charges

Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs (Menko Polkam) Djamari Chaniago has confirmed that owners of social media accounts spreading hoax information about anarchic demonstrations can be subject to criminal sanctions. “We will find the accounts. If, for example, there are indications that they meet the provisions for criminal violations, we will take action and we will act decisively on that,” said Djamari during a press conference at the Kemenko Polkam office in Central Jakarta on Wednesday. According to Djamari, these accounts frequently spread hoax information regarding calls for demonstrations with anarchic overtones. He clarified that the demonstrations shown in the videos are not current events. “I declare that video is not true. There are no such hoaxes in the territory of Indonesia, in our homeland. Perhaps it happened in the past. Going forward, there is none of that now,” Djamari asserted. Djamari expressed regret that the narrative in the video appeared to provoke the public to hold demonstrations during the celebration of Indonesia’s 81st Independence Day in August. This narrative has the potential to create an unconducive situation, leading the public to believe that Indonesia is in a state of turmoil. He added that activities in shopping centres in several locations were observed to be normal, symbolising that the situation remains well maintained. “The domestic situation is very, very stable and the developments occurring within the country are still under our control,” he said. Djamari urged the public not to be easily influenced by such hoax information, to continue trusting the government with security matters, and not to be provoked into spreading various pieces of unverified information.