East Java Community Elements Declare Peace to Prevent Polarisation
The victims of harmful content on social media are those who lack adequate digital literacy.
A number of community organisations (ormas), youth elements and students in East Java (Jatim) have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Joint Commitment. This strategic step was taken to ensure that East Java remains safe, peaceful and conducive.
The declaration was framed within a National Dialogue titled ‘Nurturing Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, Strengthening National Unity Amid Polarisation and the Digital Space’, held in Surabaya on Monday (3/8).
Several regional officials and important figures attended the event, including East Java Police Chief Inspector General Nanang Avianto, East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa, Commander of the V/Brawijaya Regional Military Command Major General Rudy Saladin, Head of the East Java National and Political Unity Agency (Bakesbangpol) Eddy Supriyanto, East Java Regional Legislative Council Chairman Musyafak Rouf, and Chairman of the East Java Inter-Religious Harmony Forum (FKUB) A. Hamid Syarif.
Also present were representatives of the Indonesian Journalists Association (PWI) East Java, GP Ansor East Java, the Chairman of the East Java Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI), the Chairmen of PSHT 16 and PSHT 17, Pemuda Pancasila, Maluku Satu Rasa (M1R), the Indonesian Madurese Alliance, the Cipayung Plus Organisation, BEM Nusantara, and representatives of various other student and youth organisations.
A SAFE AND CONDUCIVE SITUATION
Inspector General Nanang expressed his highest appreciation to all elements of society for the synergy built in maintaining public security and order (kamtibmas).
He firmly denied circulating rumours regarding the potential for unrest in East Java ahead of the commemoration of the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia on 17 August. Nanang assured that the situation in East Java was entirely safe and under control.
“I state openly that the facts on the ground show no indication supporting that. There is no threat. East Java is safe and under control,” Nanang said in his address.
He also urged organisation leaders to always prioritise an orderly and democratic climate in every activity. “I invite all organisation leaders to always hold their activities in an orderly and democratic manner. The East Java Regional Police are ready to facilitate and safeguard so that every difference is resolved at the deliberation table,” he said.
UNITY IN THE DIGITAL SPACE
Governor Khofifah emphasised that efforts to safeguard national unity today are no longer sufficient if focused solely on the physical space, but must also reach the digital sphere.
Moreover, East Java records a digital accessibility rate of 83.41%, which is higher than the national average. “So safeguarding unity today is certainly not enough in the physical space alone. This dissemination is very important for us to carry out in the digital space too,” Khofifah said.
Khofifah added that the dynamics of differing opinions are a normal part of democracy, as long as they are managed wisely and do not trigger division. “Differences of opinion, yes, but differences of opinion must not turn into enmity. We are accustomed to building tepo seliro (mutual tolerance) and gotong royong (mutual cooperation),” she said.
JOINT DECLARATION
The signing of the memorandum was symbolically carried out by the East Java Police Chief, the East Java Governor, the Commander of V/Brawijaya, the Chairmen of PSHT 16 and PSHT 17, and the Chairman of Maluku Satu Rasa (M1R).