"The state should no longer show lenience to those spreading hoaxes as it is clearly they want to disrupt national stability and security," Chairman of the Commission III of the House of Representatives Bambang Soesatyo said here on Monday.
Currently rumors about run on banks and false information about instruction of police chief and meeting of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN) are circulating in the city amid political tension.
The intention is easily seen that they want to escalate political tensions after Nov. 4 big rally involving a number of Islamic organizations demanding the prosecution of Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama (Ahok) now named suspect in an alleged blasphemy case, observers said.
Bambang Soesatyo said the various hoaxes were spread in public places by those pro Ahok and anti Ahok taking the opportunity of the peaceful demonstration on Nov. 4 .
The demonstration was peaceful until the last minutes toward the deadline given by police, but violence flared by a group of students with clash with police in front of the state palace.
He said the government must be serious in dealing with the perpetrators spreading false information that could trigger anarchy and national instability.
The perpetrators must be dealt with severe punishment as false information they spread could lead to chaos with the people the hardest hit, he said.
He said he hoped after the Nov. 4 rally, the people could distinguish true information from misleading information.
"We dont know who is to blame for the present condition. After the Ahok blasphemy case we suddenly found our unity threatened with each side blaming each other with a show of force. Without us aware there are thorns in the Unitary State of Republic of Indonesia (NKRI)," he said.
It is the duty of all parties to maintain public orders, he added. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
