Jakarta – Attacking each other, slander and the use of SARA (sectarian and identity politics) being accentuated by the presidential election candidates is disappointing the millennial generation. They are now threatening that if the situation does not improve, they will golput (abstain from voting) in the April 17 general elections.

Old Man: Don’t cheat, don’t play with hoaxes, be optimistic and tolerant

From an oped piece title The politics of 2018 and the 2019 Elections

Jakarta – President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has spoken out about banners which have appeared with the writing #JokowiBersamaPKI (#JokowiSameAsPKI – Jokowi is the same as the Indonesian Communist Party, PKI). The white banners smacking of slander have been put up around the Kebon Kacang area of Tanah Abang in Central Jakarta.

Arjuna Pademme – Over the last few years the online media in Papua has grown rapidly. In concert with this, online “ghost” media sites have also emerged which appear to present journalistic reports but it is unclear who is responsible, who the journalists are or what there address is.

Jakarta – Since the presidential election campaign began two months ago, presidential hopefuls incumbent President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and challenger Prabowo Subianto have yet to offer a substantial vision or program to the public. Both camps have instead largely focused on debating sensational issues.

Ahmad Toriq, Jakarta – Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) “Great Leader” Habib Rizieq Shihab claims that a “rotten Indonesian intelligence operation” is the reason why he was arrested and questioned by Saudi Arabia intelligence.

Jakarta – Former Army Strategic Reserves Command (Green Berets) Chief of Staff retired Major General Kivlan Zen discussion in Jakarta yesterday to made veiled criticisms of the administration of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo over last year’s banning of the Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia (HTI).

Chaerul Umam, Jakarta – Political observer Boni Hargens says that the current discourse in Indonesia about the revival of communist ideas should stop and be left in the past.

Jakarta – Former Army Strategic Reserves Command (Green Berets) Chief of Staff retired Major General Kivlan Zen says that three of the political parties supporting incumbent President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo are cooperating with China to foster communist teachings.

Jakarta – Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC) executive director Djayadi Hanan says that the Prabowo Subianto camp was the worst hit by the negative impact of Ratna Sarumpaet’s lie about being assaulted.