Stop Circulating NZ Shooting Footage, Gov’t Says

Indonesian Ministry of Communication and Informatics warned the public against sharing footage relating to brutal shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand.

“Ministry of Communication and Informatics calls on the public to pay attention to the impacts of footage circulation impact that can only enable the shooter to realize his goal: to create fear among people,” Acting Head of Public Relation Bureau of Ministry of Communication and Informatics Ferdinandus Seru said in the press release on Friday (15/3).

According to him, such actions violate Law Number 19 of 2016 on Information and Electronic Transactions as amended by Law Number 11 of 2008 and the Ministry will continue to monitor the circulation by using AIS (automatic identification system) every two hours.

In addition, the Ministry has also collaborated with the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to track accounts that spread negative content in the form of violence, he added.

“The Ministry urges the public to report through aduankonten.id or twitter account @aduankonten if they find any content on a site or social media regarding brutal shootings in New Zealand,” Ferdinandus said.

In the meantime, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo in a press statement in North Sumatra on Friday (15/3) condemned the brutal shootings of Muslims during Friday prayers at Al Noor Mosque, Christchurch, New Zealand, Friday (15/3) 13.40 local time. “We strongly condemn such violence regardless who the culprit is,” he said.

In the meantime, Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi said that there were six Indonesian citizens who were at Al Noor Mosque when the shooting incident occurred. “Three of them managed to escape and were able to make contact. We are still looking for the other three,” she said in Jakarta, Friday (15/3).

Retno adde that if anyone needs further information and consular assistance regarding the shooting incidents at Al Noor Mosque, Christchurch, they can refer to the Wellington Indonesian Embassy hotline +64211950980 and +64 22 3812 065. (ES)

Translated by: Galuh Wicaksono
Edited by: Muhammad Ersan Pamungkas