President Jokowi Clarifies Fake News Circulated on Social Media

By Office of Assistant to Deputy Cabinet Secretary for State Documents & Translation     Date 8 Februari 2019
Category: News
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President Jokowi meets with Muslimat NU and clerics in Cianjur, West Java, Friday (8/2). Photo by: Rahmat/PR

President Jokowi meets with Muslimat NU and the clerics in Cianjur, West Java, Friday (8/2). Photo by: Rahmat/PR

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo called on the people to carefully filter rumors and slanders circulated on social media these days.

The President made the statement in his remarks during a meeting with Muslimat NU -a women’s wing of the largest Islamic organization in Indonesia Nahdlatul Ulama- and the clerics in Cianjur, West Java, Friday (8/2).

On that occasion, President Jokowi pointed out other false rumors such as criminalization of ulemas and a hoax 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.

“Is it possible for a toddler to join the party?” the President asked.

President Jokowi also clarified another rumor saying that he is a foreign agent, adding that under his administration, the Government took over Mahakam Block, a large oil block in Indonesia, after previously controlled by foreign companies for 50 years. The Government, according to the President, also took over Chevron Block and Rokan Block from US oil Company Chevron and controlled 51% of Freeport shares.

President Jokowi also emphasized that slanders and hoaxes are very dangerous to national stability since it can potentially trigger a conflict and dispute.  Moreover, the President asked the participants of the event not to easily believe in any news spread in social media because it may contain hoaxes and slanders.

Regarding the upcoming election in April 2019, President Jokowi reminded the public to carefully check the candidates’ background, programs, ideas, and achievement. “Do not believe in hoaxes, especially ahead of the election where hoaxes are normally spread,” he added.

President Jokowi also expressed appreciation for the declaration of anti-hoax and anti-slander read out by the Muslimat NU. (DNA/RAH/ES)

 

Translated by: Estu Widyamurti, Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Edited by: M. Ersan Pamungkas

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