Denies Government Hacking Social Media Accounts Of BEM SI Officials, Johnny Invites People Not To Spread Hoaxes

Minister of Communications and Information, Johnny G. Plate, denies that the government hacked BEM SI's social media account. (photo: Kemenkominfo doc)

JAKARTA - Various issues have emerged ahead of the student demonstration against the extension of President Joko Widodo's term of office, Monday, April 11, 2024. One of them is that the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology or the government has hacked the social media accounts of student organizations leaders.

This was confirmed directly by the Minister of Communication and Information, Johnny G. Plate. He denied that the hacking that occurred in the social media accounts of BEM SI officials was carried out by the government.

Previously, a series of information appeared on several student communication group networks, that the WhatsApp and Instagram accounts of the Central Coordinator of the All-Indonesian Student Executive Board (BEM SI) Kaharuddin HSN DM were hacked.

"The government never hacks, no hacks," Johnny said in South Jakarta on Sunday, April 10, citing a press release on the website of the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

According to the Minister of Communication and Information, cyber attacks occur every second. So, everyone must maintain that the digital space can be well maintained, including encryption, must be maintained.

Johnny said that every user of the social media platform has a one-time password (OTP) that can be used to protect the account. Therefore, the Minister of Communication and Informatics also appealed to everyone to change passwords frequently to avoid hacking.

"So that things like that (hacking social media accounts) don't happen. Then every time there are (cyber) attacks, the government is accused, especially in an agenda or event like this," he said.

According to Johnny, he maintains his commitment to freedom of the press, expression of opinion, freedom of expression, and freedom of speech.

"But cyberattacks happen constantly, so we must also take care together, so that we always change our passwords, as well as platforms that provide electronic systems to maintain encryption properly," added the Minister of Communication and Information.

The Minister of Communication and Information invites all elements of society to maintain a peaceful inner atmosphere. Moreover, it is still in the atmosphere of the month of Ramadan.

"Not only is the month of fasting for Muslims, (during Ramadan) Christians, Catholics are also (fasting). Next week is Holy Week before Easter, currently it is still the month of fasting for Christians," said Johnny.

Johnny hoped that if demonstrations were to be held, the government hoped that it would be carried out in a safe, orderly manner and would not disturb the public.

"Even better, if it can be channeled through dialogue, because the direction and attitude of the President is quite clear regarding the demands of the students," said the Minister of Communication and Information.

According to Johnny, the thing that must be maintained together at this time, demonstrations or actions to express opinions is one of the channels for people's aspirations. The Minister of Communication and Information considered that this was part of the students' hopes for the present and the future of the people.

“But we also have to be careful not to let things that fall outside our good expectations, there are slips and other deposits. We take care of it together," said Johnny.

"So that we don't make demonstrations or aspirations that are well-intentioned, later we will not expect the end result together," concluded Johnny.

Johnny also asked the public not to spread hoaxes related to student actions. “We are free to express ourselves but in accordance with the law, we are allowed to think sophisticatedly, analyze complicated things, but in line with the law. No hoaxes, no disinformation, no misinformation that is produced and circulated in the digital space," he said when delivering the Latest Situation Development, in South Jakarta, Sunday (10/04/2022).

Johnny views the delivery of aspirations as part of political education to the public. The Minister of Communication and Informatics reiterated that they should not be ridiculed or exploited by spreading hoaxes.

"So once you spread a hoax, it's a violation of the law. It's not only in Indonesia, it's the same in the whole world," he said.

The Minister of Communication and Informatics invited all elements of society, especially youths, to anticipate the massive spread of hoaxes ahead of the demonstration. According to him, the Ministry of Communications and Informatics received a mandate to clean up or take down various fake news.