Police: COVID-19 Hoaxes is a Form of Discontent
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27 April 2020 23:48 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Police announced that they have handled 97 cases of false information or hoax related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) throughout the pandemic.
National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Argo Yuwono said that the highest number of cases recorded was 12 cases, which occurred within the Metro Jaya Police jurisdiction.
"Followed by the Riau Police with nine cases, the West Java Police with seven cases, and 57 cases spread across a number of regions," said Argo Yuwono in a virtual press conference on Monday, April 27, 2020.
According to Argo, the suspects' motives in spreading hoaxes are dissatisfaction with the government's program in handling the COVID-19 pandemic. Other suspects claim they were only doing it as pranks.
The suspects are charged with Article 45 and Article 45A of the Electronic Information and Transactions Law with sanctions including 6-years of imprisonment, and Article 14 and Article 15 of Law No.1/1946 on Criminal Law Regulation and may be subjected to 10-years of imprisonment.
The Police continue to remind the public to refrain and stop sharing unconfirmed information regarding the spread of COVID-19.
ANDITA RAHMA
