VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto has called on local candidates to hold their election campaigns peacefully and avoid any potential conflict.
"It is okay to hold a campaign, but do not spread hoax and hatred and avoid the use of the issue of race, religion, and inter-group (SARA) that could spark unrest in the country," Wiranto cautioned here on Monday.

Wiranto noted that the government has taken some measures to tackle the spread of fake news these days, including the establishment of an anti-hoax team and inter-institution cooperation.

The government will also develop technology to counter fake news.

He also urged all parties to not hinder the smooth implementation of the simultaneous local election, legislative as well as presidential elections.

"We have called on the police chief to seek, arrest, and take stern measures against those found spreading hoax, regardless of who he or she is, whether an individual, group, or organization. We will eradicate this," Wiranto asserted.

Indonesia is planning to hold simultaneous local elections on June 27, in which 17 provinces, 115 districts, and 39 municipalities will elect their leaders.

According to the Home Affairs Ministry, regions prone to conflict during elections are Papua, Mimika, Paniai, Jayawijaya, Puncak, South Timor Tengah, Maluku, Konawe, East Nusa Tenggara, South Sulawesi, East Java, and West Kalimantan.（ant）