Puan Maharani Criticizes Hoaks Who Are Considered to Discredit the DPR

JAKARTA - The Chair of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, highlighted the prevalence of hoaxes and digital content that was allegedly deliberately created to discredit the DPR. He assessed that the manipulated information flow could erode public trust in the representative institution.

Puan conveyed this when closing the V Session Period of the 2025-2026 Session in the plenary meeting at the Parliament Complex, Senayan, Jakarta, Tuesday, July 21.

According to Puan, the rapid flow of information in the digital space has increased disinformation, sharpened polarization, and blurred the line between constructive criticism and provocation.

"This phenomenon is also marked by the circulation of various hoax news and manipulated information, including content that is allegedly deliberately produced or disseminated to discredit the DPR RI," said Puan, quoted from a written statement.

He mentioned a number of examples. Among them are false quotes in the name of leaders or members of the DPR, news that the DPR rejected the discussion or approval of the Asset Confiscation Bill, as well as old videos that were given new narratives outside the context.

Puan assessed that such a narrative could place the DPR and the people as if they were on opposite sides. The impact, public confidence in representative institutions and democratic institutions can weaken.

However, he emphasized that maintaining unity does not mean turning off criticism.

"Maintaining national unity does not mean eliminating criticism, but ensuring that every criticism leads to improving the life of the nation," he said.

Puan said the country needed to work more effectively, improve public communication, provide legal certainty, and ensure that government governance was clean and accountable.

He also touched on global economic pressures and various domestic issues that are of concern to the public. Starting from the quality of public services, law enforcement, protection of vulnerable groups, to policies that favor the welfare of the people.

After the trial period was closed, the DPR entered a recess period from July 22 to August 13, 2026. Puan asked members of the council to return to their constituencies to absorb the aspirations of the people and explain the DPR's constitutional work.

In the plenary meeting, the DPR also passed the Indonesian One Data Bill and the third amendment to Law Number 22 of 2009 concerning Traffic and Road Transport as the DPR's initiative bill.

Paripurna also took decisions on the Indonesian International Financial Center Bill, Indonesia's defense cooperation with Malaysia and Turkey, candidate members of the KPI Center for the period 2026-2029, and the acceptance of grants for defense and security equipment from abroad.