Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic does not simply entail deadly waves of infections, but also a rising wave of hate and misinformation towards specific groups and identities in Indonesia. Unfortunately, this rising wave will continue to be a heightened challenge during this pandemic. The difficulties in mitigating such contents depend on how extensive COVID-19 impacts the resumption of daily lives. Unfortunately, the rate of Indonesians affected by COVID-19 is still increasing with little indications of slowing down as seen with the implementation of another round of PSBB in Jakarta on 14 September 2020.
As per the Greater Jakarta Metropolitan Regional Police’s data, 443 cases of hoax and hate speech were reported in Jabodetabek (Greater Jakarta Metropolitan). These cases occurred in April-May 2020 just as Jakarta implemented its first partial lockdown; locally known as PSBB. This meant a large increase in numbers when compared to the same period last year.
Diverse Contents of Hate Speech and Misinformation
The contents of these hoaxes and hate speech during COVID-19 are diverse. Not only limited to pouring scorn on the Indonesian government, hoaxes include there being concerted efforts against Islam. This include government efforts to manage COVID-19 being perceived as a guise for communists, Jews and Christians to eradicate Islam. Disturbingly, such hoaxes have tangible outcomes. This was evident from the reactions of a social media posting on the government’s restrictions of public worship at Muslim houses of worship such as mosques and suraus. The widely circulated posting painted the restrictions as a means to break the bonds or silaturrahim between Muslims. In March 2020, numerous cities such as Bandung experienced several protests against these restrictions.
Throughout the pandemic, the issue of the labour market being flooded by Chinese foreign workers have again gained momentum. The rise of this issue was not only a symptom of hatred towards foreigners but also strengthened anti-ethnic Chinese sentiments that has been simmering beforehand. An example is the arrest of an Indonesian from South Konawe, Sulawesi for disseminating a video alleging the import of Chinese foreign workers into Indonesia. In reality, these Chinese nationals flew to South Konawe from Jakarta, and not from China, to extend their visa. Though the individual may either be naïve or malicious when disseminating the video, it demonstrates the deep suspicions towards Chinese foreign workers. And by proxy, ethnic Indonesian Chinese. This issue has also been leveraged by violent extremists in Indonesia to garner support. In IPAC’s April 2020 report, ISIS networks in Indonesia were exploiting this resentment towards Chinese foreign workers particularly in Southeast Sulawesi and Banten.
By providing a clear target, the disenfranchised are presented with several narratives. The first is that they have, in addition to the Indonesian government, another outlet to vent their frustrations due to the loss of opportunities arising from the pandemic. The second is that the current system of administration is failing and thus the need to embrace an alternative. Such alternatives can drive these disenfranchised towards conservatism, intolerance and discrimination, and violent extremism.
Hatred towards Specific Communities Developed Throughout Indonesia’s History
Hateful contents as experienced throughout this pandemic is not a novel issue to Indonesia. These deep-seated sentiments against the Chinese, Jews, and Christians have long developed throughout Indonesia’s history. Dissemination of such contents have a propensity to intensify at specific moments, particularly times of crisis such as COVID-19 and political contestation.
Throughout such crises in Indonesia, three common sentiments are expressed: 1) anxiety, 2) frustration, and 3) anger. This consequently motivates one to identify those who are guilty and responsible for their predicament. Till today, the Indonesian President and ethnic and religious minorities continue to be held accountable for any crisis in Indonesia without much rational basis. However, unlike the past, the situation now is confounded by social media platforms and massaging apps that enables indiscriminate access, increases the speed of circulation, significantly expand the reach of such contents. No longer are such contents limited to text but have now included images and videos. Nevertheless, history has shown how uncontrolled dissemination of such contents have led to violence.
Key Roles of Businesses to Address Hateful Contents
Particularly during crisis, like government institutions, businesses must focus on systematic efforts to reduce the spread of such contents in the community and towards themselves. By contributing to reduce the spread in the community, businesses promote a conducive and healthy environment for their businesses to thrive. Businesses can also prevent themselves from being a target via careful policy considerations. During crisis, discriminative termination of employment, restrictions on places of worships within their business premises, the contents of their advertisements, and even regulations on office attire potentially serve as fuel for hate speech and misinformation towards these businesses.
Businesses should also adopt anticipative measures by analysing social issues that are related to their industry or their brands during a crisis. This includes understanding hate speech and intolerant contents that are circulating not only in their communities but also amongst their staff. Benefits of doing so includes addressing potential issues while they are still in infancy, possessing more time to develop a comprehensive counterstrategy, and instilling trust and allaying any concerns from their staff. Not only would it promote staff retention, staff would be confident to act as informal brand ambassadors to address any misinformation and hate speech targeted at their employers.
Anticipative measures should also consist of guidelines to prevent the spread of such contents from within their businesses. It is essential for staff to know how to respond when they encounter such contents targeting their companies. Having a consistent response prevents fanning the issue further while conveying seriousness at addressing the issue. It is also essential to outline appropriate company behaviour. This enables staff to have a clear understanding of what behaviours are permitted and the consequences for failure to comply.
A notable case study was an incident involving a bakery franchise in Jakarta on November 2019, a month after President Joko Widodo was officially sworn in after a divisive election. A franchise outlet had controversially refused customer requests for Christmas greetings to be decorated on their cakes. One silver lining of this incident is the voices supporting the outlet’s decision was met with equally loud voices opposing it. This ostensibly signal a deviation of simply being seen as a “silent majority” while also demonstrating heightened tensions within the community. Despite such silver lining, businesses should still avoid such controversies altogether.
Though it may seem daunting, businesses in Indonesia can work with government institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs) and subject matter experts. Businesses, for instance, can collaborate with CSOs to strengthen tolerance and to prevent hate speech and hoaxes in the business sector. Businesses can similarly work with relevant ministries such as the Ministry of Communication and Information, National Counter Terrorism Agency (BNPT) and Ministry of Labour to establish guidelines that are specific for each industry.
