Watch Your 'Thumb'! Spreading Hoax Of Children Kidnapping May Face 10 Years in Prison

NTB Regional Police Chief Inspector General Djoko Poerwanto. ANTARA/HO-Polda NTB

MATARAM - West Nusa Tenggara Regional Police Chief Inspector General Djoko Poerwanto said that those who spread hoaxes (fake news) about child kidnapping, causing uproar in society, face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Acting Daily (Plh.) Head of Public Relations of the NTB Regional Police Kombes Lalu Muhammad Iwan Mahardan explained, the NTB Regional Police Chief conveyed this in accordance with the contents of the announcement number: MAK/1/II/2023 which was issued on 1 February 2023.

"The message was conveyed according to point four in the NTB Regional Police Chief Declaration," said Iwan in Mataram, Antara, Friday, February 3.

The maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, he explained, was in accordance with the criminal provisions in Article 14 paragraph (1) of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 1 of 1946 concerning Criminal Law Regulations.

In addition, the criminal threat of spreading fake news through social media was also conveyed in point four of the NTB Regional Police Chief's Declaration.

This is in accordance with the provisions of Article 45A of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 19 of 2016 concerning amendments to the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 11/2008 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions.

Under these regulations, he said, perpetrators face a maximum penalty of 6 years in prison and a maximum fine of IDR 1 billion.

In addition to conveying this, the West Nusa Tenggara Police Chief in the announcement reminded again that the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI) guarantees the welfare of every citizen.

Including, the protection of children's rights which are the child, the potential, and the young generation to continue the ideals of the nation's struggle.

The next generation of young people also has a strategic role and special characteristics that will ensure the continued existence of the nation and state in the future.

By explaining this, the NTB Regional Police Chief also asked the community to increase the role of parents in supervising children.

The West Nusa Tenggara Police Chief also asked parents to give understanding to their children so they don't interact with strangers and don't use conspicuous items or jewelry that can attract the attention of criminals.

"Parents are also asked not to panic and worry about responding to the issue of child abduction. If you see a suspicious person, please report it immediately to the RT/RW and do not take vigilante actions. Simply report it to the nearest police officer or via hotline 110 and the SUPER APP online application," he said.

In the announcement, the NTB Regional Police Chief also conveyed the threat of a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum fine of IDR 300 million for perpetrators of child kidnapping.

The criminal threat is in accordance with the provisions of Article 76 F juncto Article 83 of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 35 of 2014 concerning amendments to RI Law No. 23/ 2022 concerning Child Protection.

With this description, continued Iwan, the NTB Regional Police Chief asked the public to heed the contents of the announcement and to be more prudent in responding to an issue or information where the truth was unclear.