Kominfo to Revoke Internet Restriction in Papua on Conditions

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Communication and Informatics Ministry (Kominfo) decided to apply a temporary block on internet access in Papua and West Papua Province following the mass demonstration that continued until Wednesday, August 21. The ministry’s spokesman Ferdinandus Setu said his institution set two conditions before revoking the network restriction.

“First, after the situation returns to normal,” said Ferdinandus or Nando to Tempo, Thursday, August 22.

Nando explained the normal situation means no riot or people staging a rally in the street.

The network will also be opened if the spread of hoax information citing provocative narration in the province decreased. Throughout the last three days, the ministry spotted 62 active accounts distributing sensitive reports that might spark unrest.

The contents spread through social media platforms and messaging application such as Whatsapp, Instagram, and Facebook. “[It will be revoked] if the number of hoax related to the kidnapping and killing Papuan student drops to 2-3 reports,” said Nando.

According to him, the provocative contents circulated in a close intensity that made the ministry decided to shut off internet access temporarily.

Therefore, the ministry has yet to ensure when the blocking policy will be lifted. At present, it is still evaluating the matter once every three hours.

Kominfo decided to block the internet access since Wednesday evening, August 21 in a bid to expedite the recovery process. The restriction was also taken in consideration of security and order purposes.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA