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Netizens joke, raise eyebrows after Moeldoko suggests 'we can live' without internet
Indonesian netizens have raised their eyebrows and poked fun at Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko's comment that “We were still able to live even without [internet] back then," when asked whether internet slowdown in Papua and West Papua would disrupt people's activities.
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Then-Indonesian Military (TNI) general Moeldoko prepares for a hearing with lawmakers in 2013. (JP/Wendra Ajistyatama)
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ndonesian netizens have raised their eyebrows and poked fun at Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko over a comment he made about the government’s decision to block cellular data services in Papua and and West Papua amid anti-racism protests by locals.
The Communications and Information Ministry announced on Wednesday evening that it would block cellular services in Indonesia’s easternmost provinces, citing the need to “accelerate the process of restoring security and order”.
The move came after authorities scrambled to handle protests that broke out in cities across the two provinces starting Monday morning, with people expressing anger over racist abuse inflicted on Papuan students in Surabaya, East Java, when they were called “monkeys” by security staff who later arrested them.
Moeldoko said on Thursday that the government only slowed down internet access in the provinces and the measure -- which was criticized by human rights activists — was implemented for the sake of national security.
When asked by reporters whether it would disrupt activities of people living in Papua and West Papua, Moeldoko said it would not. “We were still able to live even without [internet] back then.”
News about Moeldoko’s statement rapidly circulated on social media, subsequently drawing jokes, as well as criticism, from netizens.
Twitter user Nanda Herdiansyah pointed out that the retired general’s statement somehow contradicted the government’s own intention to speed up development in Papua.
