T

he Indonesian Army is drafting a comprehensive guide-book on social media for its members. The guide-book will regulate how personnel express themselves. The Army wants its members to express themselves in a way that will not shame the Army or put the institution in danger. The Army is now working to define what personnel should and should not do on their personal social media accounts.

The regulations will limit how personnel are permitted to use social media. For instance, personnel will be prohibited from talking about military operations or engaging in inappropriate selfies that will embarrass the institution.

Recently, some army personnel were reported to the military police after they published pictures of themselves on social media posing in an inappropriate manner while wearing Indonesian military uniforms.

'€œThey can do anything they like, but do not wear the military uniform,'€ Army spokesman Brig. Gen. Muhammad Sabrar Fadhillah said on Thursday, adding that the personnel would receive disciplinary sanctions for violating future social media regulations.

The Army acknowledged that curbing and regulating the use of social media was difficult and challenging.

'€œSocial media has its benefits, but it also has bad aspects to it. We have to make regulations so that everybody will be on the same page,'€ Fadhillah said.

The Army is also of the opinion that social media can promote ideas and spread doctrine.

The Army has dealt with several cases related to social media. One popular case was in February last year when an Army member was reported to the military police for allegedly deceiving a woman who he had met via Path, a social media outlet.

The woman claimed that the member had seduced her by offering her a trip to Europe. She said that the member later abandoned her. The case drew media attention and ended only when the Army held a press conference to clear the case.

Military expert Mufti Makarim said he respected the Army'€™s plan to issue regulations on social media. He said similar such regulations were implemented in many other countries. Often, strict regulations were imposed on the use of social media among military personnel, especially during special military operations.

'€œUsually, these soldiers have to exercise carefulness in posting photos and comments. Or they can only publish photos that have been officially distributed by the institution,'€ Mufti said.

He asked, however, that the Army issue regulations in such a way that protected the right to free expression.