Not all hoaxes are bad, apparently. These supposedly fictitious banners calling for peace during the Indonesian presidential election are a prime example.
Recently, photos of two white banners, supposedly put up by a vague-sounding RT. 06 (Neighborhood 06) in some unknown location in Indonesia, went viral online as they contained important messages that go against the grain of the usual viral posts/memes attacking supporters from either side of the political divide in April’s elections.
One of the banners reads, “Whoever is president, you still have to make your own money” while the other reads, “PEACEFUL ELECTION — Whether Jokowi/Prabowo becomes president the residents of RT. 06 must keep the peace and safeguard relations. If we fall ill or our family falls ill, the one who will come to visit is not the president but your neighbors.”
https://twitter.com/askmenfess/status/1089707182507999232
The messages resonated with many who seem weary of all the political conflicts in Indonesia in recent years, to the point that the General Elections Commission (KPU) took notice of the banners.
KPU Commissioner Ilham Saputra said that, while the banners seem to be fictitious (many are speculating that they were created digitally and that the RT. 06 it refers to doesn’t actually exist), but their message is appreciated.
“I think it’s good, as there is no call for people to be golput (an Indonesian abbreviation for “white party”, meaning abstainers in the election),” he said, as quoted by Medcom yesterday.
“As long as the content calls for peace, [such a hoax] is not a problem.”
Fictitious though it may be, we’d certainly love to live in a peaceful neighborhood such as RT. 06.
