East Java Police Explores Motives For Stop Uploading COVID-19 News

SURABAYA - The East Java Regional Police are investigating the motives of posters on social media with an invitation to stop uploading news and information related to COVID-19.

"The Safe Law Enforcement Task Force for Nusa II is currently being investigated by the East Java Police", said Head of Public Relations of the East Java Police, Kombes Gatot Repli Handoko, quoted by Antara, Thursday, July 15.

Kombes Gatot admitted that he had not been able to conclude the motive for the distribution of the posters, but his party was still coordinating with the local government, in this case, the East Java Provincial Communications and Information Office.

"We are still waiting for confirmation and certainty from the East Java Communications and Information", he continued.

Confirmed separately, Head of the East Java Communications and Information Service, Benny Sampirwanto, admitted that he had coordinated with the district/city government which contained a poster inviting him to stop uploading COVID-19 news and the result was not an official government stance.

"Confirming directly that the information is not true. The Regency Government has never disseminated or instructed this information. So far, the community has been enthusiastic about waiting for information updates related to COVID-19", he said.

The East Java Provincial Government's official Twitter account, @JatimPemprov, on Wednesday, July 14 stated that the narrative in the brochures bearing the East Java regional government logo was a hoax.

Meanwhile, previously the eldest daughter of Indonesia's Fourth President Abdurrahman Wahid (Gus Dur), Alissa Wahid uploaded an image on her personal Twitter @AlissaWahid, Tuesday, July 13, which contained posters circulating on social media of residents in Gresik, Lamongan, Bojonegoro, and Sumenep regencies so as not to spread and upload news about COVID-19.

Because of the circulation of the poster, Alissa tweeted which then received various responses and responses from netizens.

"While driving down the highway there is a reckless vehicle moving at high speed behind me towards me, will closing my eyes reduce the danger because I can't see it?", wrote Alissa.