Mahfud: Hoax News Becomes A Serious Threat

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (PHOTO VIA ANTARA)

JAKARTA - The Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Mahfud MD said the rapid development of social and digital media has resulted in the circulation of fake news or hoaxes in the community.

"This is a challenge as well as a threat that will have a serious impact if not handled properly by all parties, including the community," said Mahfud, while inaugurating echelon one officials at the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs, quoted by Antara, Friday, August 13.

According to him, fighting hoaxes is a shared task, not just the task of the government.

"Yesterday, for example, I spoke with the media leadership and the Press Council so that we build public awareness, so that our public spaces are healthy and the country is safe," he continued.

Mahfud inaugurated the Deputy for Communication, Information and Apparatus Coordination of Marsda TNI Arif Mustofa, and Deputy for Domestic Political Coordination Brigadier General Djaka Budhi Utama.

Mahfud emphasized the importance of strengthening the government's synergy with journalists and media managers.

"We are building a dialogue so that mainstream media can educate the public with objective and enlightening news or information to counteract hoaxes on social media," said Mahfud.

Referring to Presidential Decree No. 73/2020, Mahfud explained, the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs has the function of coordinating, synchronizing, and controlling in various fields tasked with guarding ministries/agencies under the coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs. One of them is in the field of coordination of communication, information and apparatus as well as in the field of domestic politics.

"I believe with all your experience in the academic field and your work experience. You can provide recommendations regarding the anticipation of the spread of hoax news and cyber security management," said Mahfud.

To the new Deputy for Domestic Political Coordination, Brigadier General Djaka Budhi Utama, Mahfud advised that he be able to oversee the achievement targets for the development of the domestic political sector at ministries/agencies, under the coordination of the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs.

"This field is tasked with providing policy recommendations in terms of democracy and social organization, decentralization and regional autonomy, election management and strengthening political parties and special autonomy," said Mahfud.

Mahfud also reminded the anticipation of mass organizations that often take over the role of law enforcement officers and lead to criminal acts.

Therefore, it is necessary to socialize religious moderation to prevent the growth of the seeds of terrorism and to create unity and integrity in Indonesia.

"For this reason, the Coordinating Ministry for Political, Legal and Security Affairs must always be responsive, alert and continuously increase attention in guarding stability in the fields of politics, law and security," said Mahfud MD.