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Jakarta Police chief warns against smear campaigns in gubernatorial election
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Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mochammad Iriawan and Maj. Gen. Teddy Lhaksmana shake hands after their meeting on Oct. 26. (tribunnews.com/Glery Lazuardi)
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akarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Mochammad Iriawan has advised members of the campaign teams and supporting political parties of the three candidate pairs in Jakarta’s gubernatorial election to refrain from engaging in smear campaigns during the lengthy election campaign from Oct. 28 to Feb. 11.
He said on Thursday the Jakarta Police had already uncovered smear campaigns on social media.
“I follow the news on social media. There is already a rampant smear campaign. I warn you all to compete fairly,” Iriawan said at the headquarters of the Jakarta Police.
He said the election had so far run smoothly. He said all parties involved in the campaign needed to keep it that way.
Iriawan stressed that unlike elections in other regions, smear campaigns against certain candidates would not work in Jakarta because the majority of Jakartans were rational people.
“Smear campaigns could even generate empathy for the targeted candidates. Such campaigns could even increase their electability. Jakarta voters are smart. They will not be affected by rumors. I warn all parties to abide by existing regulations,” he added. (bbn)
