By: Jaya Putra
Nepal’s political climate is once again in turmoil after massive demonstrations swept through Kathmandu and other cities in early September 2025. This action was spearheaded by young Gen Z people, who were angry over the government’s policy of blocking 26 popular social media platforms, ranging from Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, to X. The local government argued that the blocking was carried out because technology companies did not comply with new regulations regarding registration requirements.
However, the policy sparked public outrage. Initially peaceful protests turned into riots, with looting and widespread clashes. Nepalese authorities reported dozens of fatalities and hundreds of injuries. The protests then escalated into anti-corruption demands, forcing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to resign. This situation demonstrates how quickly a political crisis can be triggered by policies affecting the digital space.
In response to this situation, the Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, immediately took action to ensure the safety of Indonesian citizens in Nepal. The Director of Indonesian Citizen Protection, Judha Nugraha, confirmed that there were no reports of Indonesian citizens being directly affected by the unrest.
Judha explained that there are 57 Indonesian citizens residing in Nepal, 43 members of the Indonesian delegation attending an international conference in Kathmandu, two Indonesian military personnel undergoing training, and 23 Indonesian tourists. All are confirmed safe, although they are advised to avoid crowds and follow official government information.
For Indonesia, an important lesson from Nepal is the dangers of false information, or hoaxes, which often fuel tensions. The Ministry of Communication and Digital has warned that half of Indonesian internet users are exposed to hoaxes.
Mediodecci Lustarini, Secretary of the Directorate General of Digital Space Supervision, assessed that the situation has reached a worrying level. He stated that only around 20–30 percent of the public is able to distinguish between true and false information, while the rest are vulnerable to manipulation.
He added that the spread of hoaxes has become increasingly dangerous with the advent of artificial intelligence technology. Deepfake videos and other manipulative content spread rapidly online, with many people believing them without verification.
The spread of such information moves far faster than government or media efforts to fact-check it. Therefore, Komdigi is developing a roadmap for artificial intelligence to ensure clear ethics and regulations for its use, thus protecting the public from negative impacts.
The threat of hoaxes isn’t just about misinformation; it can also be a gateway for external intervention. Rasminto, Executive Director of the Human Studies Institute, believes that massive patterns of agitation on social media often indicate a foreign role.
According to Rasminto, narratives produced and disseminated on various digital channels are often distorted to incite unrest, even though they don’t reflect the actual situation on the ground. He sees a grand design by external parties that discourages Indonesia from appearing as a peaceful and developed nation.
Rasminto further emphasized that foreign intervention no longer relies on military force, but rather on information warfare. The manipulation of ideas, the infiltration of sensitive issues, and the obscuration of facts are used to undermine public trust in the state. This situation is referred to as a new style of colonialism, which no longer conquers territory but seeks to control public consciousness. Therefore, he emphasized the importance of vigilance to prevent the Indonesian people from falling prey to systematic provocations.
In this situation, President Prabowo Subianto emphasized that national unity is key to facing all forms of threats, both internal and external. He has directed ministries, institutions, and parliament to open the widest possible dialogue with the public, including students. The government’s principle is that every problem can be resolved through communication and deliberation, not violence.
The President emphasized that national development can only proceed if stability is maintained. Therefore, the mass media is expected to play an active role in maintaining a conducive atmosphere by prioritizing reporting that fosters unity. At the same time, the public is also urged to be wise in responding to the flow of circulating information, so as not to be easily provoked by misleading narratives.
The crisis in Nepal should serve as a warning to Indonesia. An uncontrolled explosion of information in the digital space can quickly escalate into political chaos in the real world. Indonesia is fortunate to have a government that is responsive to protecting its citizens, both at home and abroad, and is serious about developing regulations to address digital challenges. However, success in countering the threat of hoaxes depends not only on state policy but also on the collective awareness of the public.
If this nation can maintain unity, improve digital literacy, and remain committed to national interests, then various forms of provocation, both domestic and international, will not easily shake the foundations of the nation. Indonesia should use Nepal’s experience as a lesson, demonstrating that vigilance against hoaxes is essential for maintaining stability and a brighter future.
)* International Relations Observer
