Ahead Of The 2024 Election, Central Java Police Asks People To Be Alert To Radical Content And Terrorism On Social Media

Head of Public Relations of the Central Java Police, Kombes Satake Bayu Setianto/ Photo: Doc. Central Java Police

JAKARTA The terrorist network and radical groups, allegedly continue to strive to shake up the stability of public order (Kamtibmas), including utilizing the momentum of elections and issues that arise to carry out propaganda.

Therefore, the Central Java Police appealed to the public to be aware of the spread of Radical understanding through social media content (medsos) during the 2024 election campaign.

"Therefore, the public is expected to be wise and intelligent in social media. Groups with radical views take advantage of various media platforms, especially social media. This is a real threat to the stability of security and social security," said Head of Public Relations of the Central Java Police, Kombes Satake Bayu Setianto, in a written statement, Thursday, February 1.

The terrorist network and radical groups, he said, have an agenda to create kamtibmas instability and a crisis of distrust of the democratic process currently ongoing in Indonesia.

"They spread ideology that is not in accordance with Pancasila, their understanding also does not agree with the democratic process," he said

Kombes Satake said that terrorist networks and radical groups continue to operate in Indonesia through a number of organizations, including Jamaah Islamiyah (JI).

Finally, the Densus 88 Anti-Terror team at the National Police Headquarters arrested 10 suspected terrorists in a number of cities, including being arrested in Sukoharjo, Surakarta, Karanganyar and Boyolali.

"The disclosure of this terrorist network continues, the National Police is trying to create a conducive Kamtibmas situation, especially at this time, where a series of stages for the 2024 General Election is being carried out," he said.

On the other hand, the Head of Humas highlighted the large number of young people who were registered as voters in the 2024 election.

"The number of voters in the 2024 General Election who are categorized as young voters based on the 2024 Election Fixed Voter List issued by the General Election Commission (KPU) of the Republic of Indonesia reaches approximately 52 percent of 204,807,222 voters in Indonesia," he explained.

The Head of Humas emphasized that young people are the main targets of radical group regeneration and terrorist networks. For this reason, he asked parents, teachers and the community to protect the young from the spread of these groups.

"These young people or teenagers must also be introspective. They must be good at choosing friendships and be able to filter information circulating on social media," he urged

He hopes that young people as the majority group of social media users will actively participate in voting in the 2024 election and not be influenced by hoax content with the tone of radicalism on social media.

"Don't let golput, let alone don't believe in the democratic system and be intolerant of diversity in Indonesia," he said.

The National Police, continued Kombes Satake Bayu, together with relevant agencies continue to appeal and socialize so that smart people with social media do not get swept away by negative narratives about the election in circulation.

"If there are negative content, including those leading to Radicalism, SARA or intolerance, please report it. It will be followed up soon," he concluded.