VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on Indonesians to run the 2024 General Elections joyfully and make the fiesta of democracy free from hate speeches, hoaxes, and slanders on social media.

"There should be no more hate speeches and hoaxes like we witnessed during the previous elections. Do not spread slanders, especially on social media. I repeat, do not slander each other, especially on social media," he stressed.

President Jokowi made the statement while attending the ceremony of the 100th anniversary of Nahdlatul Ulama and 25th anniversary of the National Awakening Party (PKB) at the Manahan Stadium in Solo, Central Java, on Sunday.

He also emphasized that elections constitute a fiesta of democracy, where the people are supposed to fest, rather than being occupied by disputes.

"Sometimes, I shake my head when I read (posts) on social media. Why would brotherly people fight each other? We are all brothers, we should not be fighting, especially on the name of religions. That must not happen" he noted.

President Jokowi then stressed that differences in democracy are common in nature, urging people not to respond to the differences by quarreling and throwing hate speeches at each other.

"In fact, political elites, such as party leaders and presidential candidates, can be seen having dinner and drinking coffee together. Then, why would people exhaust themselves with prolonged fights? We are all brothers within the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia," he elaborated.

The head of state also urged all Indonesians to reunite as a one great nation after the elections.

"Why do people continue fighting on social media even after the elections conclude? Sometimes, this makes me shake my head," he said.

On the occasion, Jokowi was accompanied by First Lady Iriana and extended his best wishes to PKB as it entered its 25th year of age.

He expressed hope that the party will become more successful, manage to increase its number of votes in the upcoming elections, and make more contributions to the government in the future.

"I would also like to congratulate Gus Muhaimin Iskandar, the PKB leader who has been leading the party for 18 years while maintaining its status as a big party," he remarked. (Antaranews)