The GOVERNMENT has threatened to close social media and sharing sites, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube if they do not close accounts containing radicalism.

A total of 11 Telegram domain name systems have even been asked to be blocked.

The threat was voiced by the Minister of Communication and Information Rudiantara after attending the declaration of anti-radicalism at Padjadjaran University, Bandung, yesterday.


The reason is that the government's request for them to close accounts containing radicalism has not been fully complied with.

"Throughout 2016 to 2017, only 50% were fulfilled. This is very disappointing. During the fasting month, I sent the director general to visit (the platform provider). If there is no improvement, we will be serious," said Rudi.

He added that the social media platform was reluctant to close all accounts containing radicalism because in their home country they had to go through court.

"However, they are here because of business. Advertisements are also from here. Therefore, it is necessary to comply with the regulations here."

The Ministry of Communication and Informatics has made various efforts to prevent the spread of radicalism, including closing sites and blocking accounts on social media.

However, account blocking needs to involve the platform.

The Ministry of Communication and Informatics yesterday also asked internet service providers to block 11 domain name systems (DNS) belonging to Telegram.

The 11 DNS are t.me, telegram.me, telegram.org, core.telegram.org,

desktop.telegram.org, macos.telegram.org, web.telegram.org, venus.web.telegram.org, pluto.web.telegram.org, flora.web.telegram.org, and flora-1.web.telegram .org. As a result, the web version of the Telegram service cannot be accessed via a computer.

"We are also preparing the process of closing the Telegram application completely in Indonesia if Telegram does not prepare standard operational procedures for handling unlawful content in their application. This can endanger state security," said Director General of Information Applications at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics Semuel A Pangerapan.

Blocking must be done because many channels in the messaging service application contain propaganda of radicalism, terrorism, and hate ideology.

There are also invitations or how to assemble bombs. Telegram has also become a favorite of terrorists, including the Islamic State, because of its high level of encryption so that its messages are difficult for the authorities to sniff out.

Telegram's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Pavel Durov, via tweet, expressed his astonishment as to why their service was blocked.

"It's strange, we have never received a request/protest from the Indonesian government. We will investigate and make an announcement," Durov said on his Twitter account, @durov, replying to a netizen's tweet.

Campus Declaration

Universities in West Java agreed to reject radicalism.

That commitment was stated in the Declaration on Anti-radicalism which was attended by 44 state and private universities in West Java at Unpad, yesterday.

In addition to all university rectors, the event was attended by Minister of Research, Technology and Higher Education Mohamad Nasir, Minister of Communication and Information Rudiantara, West Java Governor Ahmad Heryawan.