The hoax about seven ballot containers from China that been punched was the first case related to the election to shock the public. The case that emerged on Jan. 3 adds to a row of false news that had appeared earlier, such as the persecution of Ratna Sarumpaet.
When the police began arresting a number of people suspected of involvement in the spread of the hoax related to the ballot containers, on Wednesday morning there was a terror attack on the houses of two leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Agus Rahardjo and Laode M Syarif.
The attacks on the two leaders has the potential to become a topic of debate during the first presidential candidate debate next week. Moreover, the attack is the ninth terror attack experienced by the KPK. Ironically, there has not been any disclosure by authorities.
This condition has the potential to bring up a number of the dynamics related to the 2019 general election. In connection to this, the General Elections Commission (KPU) has asked all election participants to maintain an agreement to realize peaceful campaigns, which are then expected to lead to a peaceful election.
"That commitment is binding for the election participants. Therefore, public figures who get information about the stages of the election should communicate first with the KPU, Bawaslu ( Elections Supervisory Agency), or law enforcement agencies," said KPU member Pramono Ubaid Tanthowi, Thursday (10/01/2019) in Jakarta.
The commitment to realize peaceful campaigns nationally was disclosed in the declaration of peaceful campaigns for the 2019 general election, which was held by KPU in Jakarta on Sept., 23 2018. Present at the event were presidential candidates and vice presidential candidates, legislative candidates and political party leaders (Kompas, 24/09/2018).
In order to realize the peaceful election, Pramono hopes law enforcement officials investigate a number of cases, such as the spread of hoaxes, quickly and transparently.
"We hope law enforcement officials handle the cases as well as possible, regardless of their backgrounds, and it is hoped that the law will be enforced as fairly as possible," Pramono said.
Bawaslu member M. Afifuddin said on Tuesday next week that he would meet with a number of parties to discuss the issue of hoaxes. "We will map out potential ways to deal with the hoaxes. "We will invite cyber divisions from the National Police, communications and information, the KPU as partners, BSSN
(National Cyber and Encryption Agency), as well as ministries in the fields of politics, law and security," he explained.
The meeting is expected to further strengthen the special task force formed by the Bawaslu to monitor issues and reporting related to the election.
Dialogue
Hasto Kristiyanto from the national campaign team of Joko “Jokowi” Widodo-Ma\'ruf Amin emphasized that he was ready to meet and hold dialogue with the Prabowo Subianto-Sandiaga Uno camp to jointly ward off hoaxes and create a peaceful atmosphere for the rest of the campaign period.
On various occasions, Hasto further said, the elites and party members supporting Jokowi-Ma\'ruf had been reminded to not create or spread hoaxes if they wanted to win the election. This is because various survey results show that hoaxes do not significantly increase the electability of candidates. Hoaxes are only used to strengthen loyal voters, not to attract floating voters. "Therefore, we always emphasize, there is no point in making hoaxes because it will only increase internal militancy. If you want to win, it is better to focus on the campaign to the regions," he said.
Spokesman for Prabowo-Sandi\'s campaign team, Andre Rosiade, said his party was committed to not spreading hoaxes. However, criticism expressed by the Prabowo-Sandi camp is frequently seen as hoaxes. His camp also supports the police to thoroughly investigate hoax cases related to seven ballot containers from China.
Religious leaders
Chairman of the central executive board of Muhammadiyah, Haedar Nashir, said the election was a political contest that was routinely held every five years. "Political contestation, which is a routine and normal thing, should not to be brought into an emergency. Don\'t use it as a political battleground, which is hard and damaging to the building of association, religious community and nationality," he said.
Related to that, Haedar hoped all parties would be willing compromise.
According to Haedar, it is important to continue to understand that politics is a way to realize the ideals of the nation and not simply to pursue power. Therefore, politicians should use civilization in politics. The practice of politics by using all means, such as pitting one against the other, spreading hatred and hostility, spreading hoaxes and provocations, and slander, must be avoided.
At the same time, the Indonesian people need unity and harmony in solving the nation\'s problems. Therefore, all parties, including the community, must develop intelligent and mature dialogue to realize the ideals of the nation.
The chairman of the central executive board of Nahdlatul Ulama, KH Said Aqil Siroj, said NU members and clerics were ready to safeguard the 2019 general election.
The chairperson of the Indonesian Confucian High Council, Uung Sendana, said no one would benefit from the split. "If so [there is division], how would we continue development? It must always be reminded that the struggle for power should be in the interest of the community," he said.
Uung also agreed that strict action should be given all those involved in making and distributing false news. Letting such a condition without any attention can lead to chaos and public distrust to the election organizers.
Related to that, Albertus Patty, the chairman of the Association of Churches in Indonesia, hoped that there will be firm action from state officials on those who make and disseminate hoaxes. "There must be firmness, so as not to delegitimize the election administration," Albertus said. (REK/AGE/ INA/ NTA)
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