President Jokowi Clarifies Hoaxes and Rumors

President Jokowi delivers his remarks during distribution of waqf land certificates at Istiqlal Mosque, Central Lampung, Friday (8/3). Photo by: Deny S/PR.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo clarified a rumor saying that the Government criminalizes UIemas. The President said that everyone is equal before the law.

“There are Cabinet Ministers, Governors and Regents who serve prison sentence,” the President said in his remarks after attending distribution of waqf land certificates at Istiqlal Mosque, Central Lampung, Friday (8/3).

President Jokowi added that everyone who violates the law should face the legal process. He added that if there is an Ulema who serves prison sentence without violating the law, the President will review the case.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also said that many slanders, hoaxes, and fake news circulate on social media prior to the upcoming elections.

President Jokowi called on clerics, Kyai and community leaders to clarify the hoaxes. “Do not let the hoaxes, slanders, and fake news destroy our society,” he said, adding that nowadays the hoaxes are not only circulated on social media, but also spread door to door.

“Say that what is right is right and what is wrong is wrong,” the President firmly said.

President Jokowi also pointed out another false rumor saying that he is a member of now-defunct Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). The President explained that the PKI was banned in 1965-1966, while he was born in 1961. That means he was four back then.

The President also said that based on academic survey, more than nine million people believe in the hoax saying that the Government will ban prayer call (adhan) and that the Government will legalize same-sex marriages.

“That is illogical,” President Jokowi said, adding that Indonesia is a country with the largest Muslim population in the world, with religious norms that are very much in accordance with Shari’a, ethics, and local wisdom.

Also present during the event were, among others, Cabinet secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency Sofyan Jalil, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, and Governor of Lampung Ridho Ficardo. (DNA/DNS/ES)

Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman

Edited by: Yuyu Mulyani