"It (condition of the digital space) is calm. We found some (hate speeches), but overall, it is calm," Minister Mahfud remarked in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He affirmed that several parties, such as the Communication and Informatics Ministry, National Defense Forces (TNI), National Police (Polri), and National Cyber and Crypto Agency (BSSN), continue to exert efforts to anticipate threats that may spark uproar in the digital space ahead of the elections.
The minister emphasized that in the event of the spread of negative contents, such as hoaxes, measures will be taken, including by informing the public that there is no truth to the information contained in the contents.
Minister Mahfud views that the situation ahead of the next year's elections is not as heated as that before and during the earlier elections.
During the period before the 2019 elections, the uproar in the public had emerged since November 2016, as was apparent from mass demonstrations followed by a series of turmoil, he stated.
However, Mahfud said that the same tensions had not arisen so far ahead of the upcoming elections.
The minister considers the situation and condition in society as being relatively conducive despite the holding of the festival of democracy drawing near.
"We can see that everything is calm although the elections will be held in eight months. Praise be to God, let us maintain this (situation)," Mahfud remarked.
The minister also reminded both the TNI and Polri to remain neutral during the elections for the sake of maintaining the country's stability.
"The most important aspect is that TNI and Polri remain in the neutral stance. God willing, everything will be safe. Such a stance is essential to maintain order in the digital space by tackling provocations in the midst of the society sparked by digitally illiterate parties. Neutrality must be maintained," he said.
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Translator: Fathur Rochman, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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