"I hope the instigators would face firm action, because they spread (rumors) that could threaten common public interest," the finance minister said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani has called on law enforcers to take action against instigators spreading rumors on money rush or massive withdrawal of deposits from banks.

"I hope the instigators would face firm action, because they spread (rumors) that could threaten common public interest," the finance minister said here on Monday.

She said that the public should not be worried as the government guarantees the security of money deposited in the banks.

The minister also called on the people to avoid following the calls by the instigators to withdraw money or to join the money rush, which would only create disadvantages for them.

"The government guarantees the security of the peoples money in banks. We hope that the public would also help maintain it and provide guarantee for it," she said.

National Police Chief General Tito Karnavian assured on Saturday that the security situation in the country was fine and urged people not to react on the basis of rumors about a money rush in Jakarta.

Such rumors are being spread via the social media.

"The money rush is a hoax. Those spreading such rumors want to destabilize the countrys economy to create chaos," he told reporters after the National Dialogue at the Office of the Provincial Legislative Assembly (DPRD) of Surabaya, East Java, on Saturday.

Asking people not to be influenced by the hoax, he disclosed that he had ordered the Cyber Crime Squad to track down and arrest those who had disseminated the rumors.

He assured that as the police chief he could guarantee the security of the country. "I held a meeting with the Indonesian Defense Forces (TNIs) commander on Friday to assure myself that the security situation in the country was quite good. Any demonstration is something normal," he noted.

Most importantly, the police chief urged the people not to be affected by the hoax.

"We are not disclosing the identity of the culprits as they can then run away. Once they are arrested, we will definitely reveal it," the police chief commented, when reporters asked him about the culprits behind the hoax.

He also attended a health-related social service event for residents in the Jenggolo square, Sidoarjo, East Java.

At the national dialogue, he revealed his plan to form a special team to reduce any conflict potential. The team involved military, police, government agencies and community leaders.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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