Indonesia minister urges regional governments to lead fight against digital hoaxes

Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, General (Ret.) Djamari Chaniago, has called on regional governments to take the lead in combating hoaxes and disinformation circulating in the digital realm. During a working visit in Banjarbaru, South Kalimantan, he emphasized that regional governments, along with regional leadership coordination forums (Forkopimda), must proactively manage information to counter the erosion of public trust.

Minister Chaniago highlighted the digital space as a strategic battleground where uncontrolled information flow can create false public perceptions. He warned that failing to manage this space effectively means losing the crucial fight for public narrative. The minister stressed the need for regional governments to be present early in the digital space, providing accurate information to prevent information vacuums that irresponsible parties could exploit.

To address this, Chaniago proposed the formation of specialized bodies in each region tasked with monitoring developing issues and managing information dynamics. He advocated for a proactive approach rather than a reactive one, ensuring that potential threats to stability are managed from the outset. The minister underscored the importance of synergy among regional elements, including the government, military, and police, as key to maintaining regional stability and ensuring that government policies are effectively communicated to the public.