During The COVID-19 Pandemic, The National Police Handled 352 Hoax Cases

Head of Police Public Relations Division, Inspector General Argo Yuwono (Photo: Police Public Relations)

JAKARTA - The National Police said that during the COVID-19 pandemic, they had handled around 352 hoax cases. This case was handled by the Criminal Investigation Agency of Indonesia Police (Bareskrim Polri) and Regional Police (Polda) ranks.

"The data in 2020 for hoax news, there are 352 cases that we handle", said Head of Public Relations of the National Police, Inspector General Argo Yuwono at a press conference of the Ministry of Health, Friday, February 5.

Of the hundreds of hoaxes, some of them have been prosecuted by Cyber Police. In fact, these perpetrators were also accused of multiple articles.

"For members of the public who disseminate it, of course, there is a criminal threat, Article 28 paragraph 1 of Law 11 of 2008 concerning ITE regarding the spread of fake news on electronic media including social media, is subject to 6 years imprisonment and 1M fine", said Argo.

"Also, on UU KUHP Article 14 paragraph 1, whoever spreads fake news has a threat of 10 years in jail, and paragraph 2, whoever broadcasts disturbing news among the people is jailed for 3 years, Article 15 whoever announces is uncertain or incomplete and causes trouble. the threat is 2 years in jail", he continued.

Argo also appealed to the public not to immediately believe the chain message related to COVID-19. In fact, the public is also asked to confirm in advance the information received.

You can do this by contacting the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) via the website or the telephone number listed. Besides, he was also advised not to participate in the hoax.

"People are asked to filter the new information and read correctly from chat application or social media that will be shared before directly sent to another group chat if it is not true, don't share it. If you have questions, please ask the Ministry of Health, or you can ask the Police, then we will communicate it to the authorized agency", said Argo.