Be Honest To Counter Hoaxes on Social Media, President Jokowi Reminds Scouts

President Jokowi hits a bedug to mark the opening of 2nd National Scout Jamboree of Ma’arif NU, at the Military Academy Shooting Range, in Magelang, Central Java, on Monday (18/9)

One of the challenges in this age is openness in social media where everyone can post something, the good one or even the bad one, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo asserted.

“Do not forget that people can also post negative articles that slander and reproach others on social media, not to mention hoaxes. Thus, to be honest is also a challenge for us,” President  Jokowi said during an introductory remarks on the 2^nd National Scout Jamboree of Ma’arif Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), at the Military Academy Shooting Range, in Magelang, Central Java, on Monday (18/9).

The President also emphasized that we are also confronted with the widespread of different types of drugs abuse. Therefore, he called on all people to realize that those challenges are in front of us.

“We must compete with other countries to become the winner, if we don’t, we will be left behind. We also must compete in innovation and creativity sectors with other countries, unless we want to be left,” the President added.

President Jokowi believes that with strong foundation for great character, Insya Allah boy/girl scouts can look to the future and win the competition because they have strong characters. “It just need to be encouraged,” the President added.

Also on that occasion, President Jokowi invited boy/girl scouts to be prepared in facing the challenges ahead that changes incredibly rapidly, in which the challenges and technology innovations can change in every hours, minutes, or seconds.

The President also reminded people to be prepared to make some breakthroughs, leaps of progress, take actions in a rapid way, as well as to respond to innovations in technology as soon as possible, if we do not want to be left behind or conquered by those changes.

For that reasons, President Jokowi called on the NU boy/girl scouts not to be carried away by the achievements. “Keep learning new things, find something new, and implement something that can improve ourselves, umat (the people), and the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia,” the President firmly said.

Also attending the event were the Chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama Executive Board (PBNU) Said Aqil Siradj, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, and Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo. (UN/ES) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)