TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) chairman Ma’aruf Amin said that a certain group of society has no right to conduct public persecutions. Hate contents on social media, Ma’ruf added, should only be controlled by appropriate authorities instead of the public.
“Public shouldn’t have the control to enforce order, but it should only be done by those of competence and authority,” Ma’aruf said on Monday, May 29.
Ma’aruf argued that social media users currently have difficulties in differentiating authentic news and fake ones uploaded on the internet.
The Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet) previously called on the Indonesian government to be aware of acts of persecutions, which they call the ‘Ahok effect’. SAFEnet regional coordinator Damar Juniarto views that these acts of blind persecution have spread across Indonesia.
“This problem needs serious attention considering that the threat is real,” Damar said on Saturday, May 27.
A persecution is done in a number of stages, starting from aiming for any individual who insults a religion or a religious leader through social media.
There is also another problem of driving masses to search certain targets to their offices or residences.
“We’re concerned if these acts of persecution are not handled seriously, then it would be a serious threat against democracy,” Damar explained.
AMIRULLAH SUHADA