TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – President Prabowo Subianto warned the public not to immediately trust information circulating on social media, saying that online platforms can be manipulated by individuals with financial resources and certain interests.
Prabowo said misinformation on social media has become a global issue, not only in Indonesia, and warned that people can be easily influenced by content spread online.
"There is a sickness, not only in our country but in the world: social media. It can be manipulated. If someone has money, they can influence what happens on social media," Prabowo said during the inauguration ceremony of five dams in West Nusa Tenggara on Friday, July 10, 2026.
He urged the public to be more critical of information found on social media and not accept every claim as fact.
"Information circulating on social media is not necessarily true. People should not be deceived," he said.
The chairperson of the Gerindra Party also encouraged people to place their trust in legitimate government institutions and elected leaders.
"Believe in the leaders that you have chosen," Prabowo said.
However, Prabowo also reminded government officials and leaders to maintain public trust by being honest. He said leaders who frequently mislead their citizens could harm the people they are responsible for serving.
Prabowo Inaugurates Five Dams
During his visit to West Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara, on Friday, Prabowo inaugurated the Meninting Dam. The ceremony also marked the simultaneous inauguration of four other dams located in different provinces.
Prabowo said the construction of major infrastructure projects such as dams requires significant time, funding, and resources. He noted that some projects can continue through several changes in presidential administrations before being completed.
"I am grateful that I am the one who inaugurates this dam," he said.
The five dams inaugurated by Prabowo were the Meninting Dam in West Nusa Tenggara, the Keureuto Dam and Rukoh Dam in Aceh, the Jlantah Dam in Central Java, and the Sidan Dam in Bali.
The projects were constructed between 2015 and 2025 as part of the government's efforts to improve water management, irrigation capacity, and infrastructure development.
Prabowo said the five dam projects required a total investment of Rp9.79 trillion.
"The five dams we inaugurate today are an investment of the country," Prabowo said.
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