Taking berita terpercaya (trusted news) as its motto, the news platform’s name stands for Menteng Raya 62, Central Jakarta, the address of the head office of Muhammadiyah, the country’s Indonesia's second-largest Muslim organization.

"We have been very concerned with the escalating number of [news] hoaxes, particularly on social media, thus we are committed to carefully deciding whether the news produced will bring benefit to the general public or not," said Imam, who is a former Kompas daily journalist.

Imam said despite requiring readers to register and charging them Rp 2,000 (US 65 cents) per month to access the site, he expressed confidence that the initiative would be well received by society, given the extensive coverage of Muhammadiyah as an organization that was present in most cities and regencies across the country.

(Read also: NU, Muhammadiyah respect police’s decision to charge Ahok)

"We are also cooperating with Antara news agency. It is more experienced and has a more extensive network and coverage," he added.

Meanwhile, Antara president director Meidyatama Suryodiningrat said that "turn back hoax" should become a common mission for all in 2017 to counter irresponsible information that had the potential to lead to social unrest. (fac/jun)

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