September 4, 2025 | 04:51 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A coalition of Indonesian fact-checking institutions is urging the public to be cautious when receiving information, especially as the recent wave of protests is accompanied by various circulating news, both true and false.
The Koalisi Cek Fakta (Fact-Checking Coalition) has found numerous unverified posts highlighting the protests that erupted during the tail end of August. The coalition asked citizens to remain critical.
"Do not be tricked into amplifying propaganda or fearmongering information," said coalition representative Bayu Wardhana in a written statement on Thursday, September 4, 2025.
An example of a questionable narrative that emerged on social media about the protests is how the movement is backed by foreign parties, such as George Soros and the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).
According to Cek Fakta's findings, the posts quoted a report by Russian propagandist Angelo Guiliano published by the Russian media Sputnik titled "Soros, NED Could Be Behind Indonesian Protests" on August 31, 2025.
The Fact-Checking Coalition believes disseminating such information could muddy the information ecosystem in Indonesia. "Accusations that the West drives opposition or mass protest movements are often exploited by the Russian government," said Bayu.
Cek Fakta also urges mass media organizations to be cautious in publishing information from unverifiable and unconfirmed sources. "Especially amid the rampant spread of misinformation and disinformation," said Bayu.
As of Wednesday, September 3, 2025, the coalition has found at least 20 types of misinformation and disinformation spreading since the latest series of protests kicked off on August 25, 2025. Much of the false information is associated with the protests and has evolved into spreading fear among the people.
Such fearmongering news includes advice to avoid going out at night, restrictions on street activities, deployment of snipers, the burning of multiple buildings, restrictions on cash withdrawals at the bank, attacks on police stations, multiple cases of looting, and many others.
"Additionally, we also monitor the development of propaganda that seeks to delegitimize the protests that have been ongoing since the end of August until September 2025," said Bayu.
The series of demonstrations in Jakarta and various other regions in the country has continued since they were held on Monday, August 25, last week. At that time, the demonstrators demanded the cancellation of the extravagant allowances for lawmakers, which had been deemed unjust considering the economic hardships faced by the Indonesian people.
The protests escalated after a ride-share driver, Affan Kurniawan, was killed by a police vehicle on Thursday, August 28. At least 10 people have died in the demonstrations that took place in various cities until early September.
On Sunday, August 31, Prabowo, after meeting with the party leaders, decided to withdraw housing allowances for DPR members and impose a moratorium on overseas working trips.
Dian Rahma Fika contributed to the writing of this article.
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