Chinese Indonesians in Jakarta fear attacks on the community, as anti-China hoaxes spread on social media
- After several people died in violent protests in Jakarta, messages spread on social media blaming the deaths on ‘police from China’
- The messages prompted the government to temporarily restrict social media functions on WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram to halt spread of false information
The message was followed by photos of light-skinned masked police officers that came with the caption: “China has sent security forces to Indonesia disguised as foreign workers.”
In another photo, a man is pictured in a selfie that showed a light-skinned officer from Indonesia’s mobile brigade police (Brimob) in the background.
It accompanied the caption: “My friend, this Brimob cannot speak Indonesian.”
The anti-Chinese images and messages spread rapidly, leading the government on Wednesday to temporarily block or slow the sharing of photos and videos onto Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, to halt the spread of false information.
Communications Minister Rudiantara told reporters the restrictions were meant to slow visual content that could inflame “emotions”.
