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Police investigate Saracen’s motives
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Security talk: Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto (right) talks with Australian Navy commander Vice Admiral T.W Barrett during a maritime security international symposium in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Aug.24. (Antara/Nyoman Budhiana)
P
olice have continued to investigate possible motives behind the operation of Saracen, a news syndicate accused of spreading hoaxes and fake news.
Speaking to journalists at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Wiranto said authorities needed to determine whether Saracen was purely a professional organization or whether there were political motives behind its activities.
“The National Police [Polri] are carrying out an investigation to reveal both the structure and motives of Saracen. Are the group’s activities purely for money, or just as a hobby, or are there any political motives?” he said.
Wiranto further said Saracen’s campaign activities were destructive and could potentially destroy the country’s unity. “As the President [Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo] is campaigning to bind this nation together, a syndicate that wants to break it apart has suddenly emerged,” the minister said.
Saracen is believed to have spread hoaxes and hate speech against President Jokowi and former Jakarta governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama, among others. (ebf)
