President Jokowi: Wamena’s Riots Started from Hoax

Presidential Jokowi responds to reporters’ questions after meeting with Speakers of the House of Representatives, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (23/9). (Photo by: Secretariat of the President)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo raised the issue of riots that broke out in Wamena, Papua, in a coordination meeting with Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Commander of the Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI), Chief of the Indonesian National Police (Polri), and Head of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN), at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (23/9).

In the meeting, President Jokowi asserted that the riots were triggered by a hoax. Thus, the President called on the public to cross-check every message, news, information they received in social media.

“Do not believe it (without checking), since it will affect the security and political stability in the regions,” President Jokowi said in a press conference at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday (23/9).

The Head of State also requested the public to not display destruction of public facilities during a protest. “The facilities belong to everyone; thus, do not commit vandalism,” President Jokowi firmly said. (*/ES)

Translated by : Rany Anjany Subachrum
Edited by : Mia Medyana Bonaedy