CIDISS. In the run up to the 2018 elections, the public needs to be vigilant about the circulation of negative opinions, which contain issues of Tribe, Religion, and Race (SARA), hate speech and hoax news.
This is because the year 2018 is the political year, where the government will implement elections in many areas including West Java Province and Garut regency.
The statement was delivered by the Chief of Panwaslu of Garut Regency, Heri Hasan Basri, “I believe and believe that people are smart and understand that the current season is the election of regional heads, all kinds of issues will be exploited by interested parties”.
The spread of SARA issues, nowadays it is very easy through the social media that is more advanced, the target mostly is among the younger generation as well as the beginner voters, as active social media users.
Therefore, Heri appealed to younger generations, especially those in Garut regency, so as not to talkative and follow-up to spread the issue of SARA and hatred. If there is a SARA issue, it is immediately removed and removed from social media, because the act can be categorized as an election crime.
“Anyone who participates in disseminating the issue of SARA and hatred in social media, plus any provocation, it can be imprisoned maximum 5 years”, added Heri.
Further KPU Commissioner Garut, Reza Alwan Sovnidar, conveys elections 2018 must be addressed as a tourism democracy and people’s festivities, meaning that all elements of special society in Garut should be safe and comfortable and full of excitement, not sadness.
Therefore, all components of society need to be invited to participate actively, to keep the moment of elections can take place in orderly and peaceful, and enjoy in its implementation later. This is because, the event of leadership change in all regions in Indonesia is an interest of various parties.
In this regard, the people from now on, need to prepare themselves to avoid all kinds of negative effects that can provoke, and actively participate in preventing any form of intimidation that may disrupt the successful implementation of elections 2018. People need to realize that the key to the success of the elections, in the hands of a candidate or a successful team. Do not be easily provoked not good news especially using the issue of Tribe, Religion, and Race (SARA), and hate speech.
Let’s Make Safe and Peaceful Democracy and People’s Party Tour Indonesia Reject Negative Hoax!
By: Ahsan Hadi Putra*)