President Jokowi Meets With 2,000 Babinsa Officers

President Jokowi delivers his directives to Babinsa officers at Balai Prajurit M. Yusuf in Jalan Sudirman, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Sunday (29/7) afternoon (Picture: PR/ Jay)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo asked the Village Supervisory Non-Commissioned Officers (Babinsa) to play an active role in reducing the spread of hoaxes and fake news through social media.

“All of you must be able to reduce the spread of these hoaxes,” the President said when delivering his directives before 2,000 officers of Babinsa of Kodam XIV/Hasanuddin, in Balai Prajurit M. Yusuf, in Jalan Sudirman, Makassar, South Sulawesi, on Sunday (29/7) afternoon.

On that occasion, the President mentioned a hoax about himself as an example. He said that there have been rumors about his connection to the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). Even, there was a photo spreading in social media showing a person who resembles him standing near the PKI leader, D.N. Aidit, as he was giving a speech. Meanwhile the fact is, he was born in 1961 and the PKI was dissoloved in 1965. It means at that time the President was a toddler. “Hoaxes must be countered,” the President said.

This divide-and-rule politics must be stopped. Therefore, the President asked the Babinsa officers to give understanding to the people and tell them the right information because the officers are backbone of regional security. These officers are expected to use assertive and solutive approaches. They should not use repressive approaches.

The President asserted that the Indonesian National Defence Forces (TNI) earns public trust. Do not let public lose their trust because the TNI cannot solve the problems in the community.

Also attending the event were Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, Minister of Social Affairs Idrus Marham, Commander of TNI Marshal Hadi Tjahjanto, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mulyono. (AGG/ES) (MMB/YM/Naster)