"Last week, in Wamena, a hoax was spread about a teacher mouthing some racist words against a Papuan. The people thereafter held a demonstration this morning as a mark of solidarity," Inspector General Rodja stated in Abepura, Jayapura City, Papua, on Monday.
Rodja affirmed that the mass protest or demonstration had been localized and secured by personnel of the National Police’s Mobile Brigade (Brimob) Operation Control Assistance (BKO) Nusantara, who were seconded in Wamena, Jayawijaya District.
"The demonstration was already localized by Brimob, and the Jayawijaya district head had also held a dialog with the demonstrators to prevent them from taking anarchic actions," he remarked.
Rodja also clarified that the information of a teacher uttering racist words was false news based on the police’s assessment of the validity of the information.
"It is only a hoax. We have sought information from the teacher, and he claimed to have never said any racist words, and we have confirmed that," he revealed.
Speaking in connection with the demonstration in Wamena, Jayawijaya District, the Papua Police chief urged residents and stakeholders to not be easily provoked by unsubstantiated news that could pose a threat to Indonesia’s unity and integrity.
"We hope that people in Wamena, and Papua, in general, would not be consumed by hoaxes or false news or information. We need to be wise and cautious in assimilating any information," Rodja cautioned. Related news: Papuans should avoid being hoaxed by internet ban news: Telkom
Related news: Papua governor urges to end destabilizing activities
EDITED BY INE
Translator: Alfian Rumagit, Yuni Arisandy
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
