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JAKARTA, bhayaksa.net—- The recent surge in volcanic activity from Mount Anak Krakatau in the Sunda Strait has drawn urgent intervention from the government, particularly in managing the surge of public information across digital spaces. To prevent widespread public anxiety caused by fake news and unverified rumors, the Ministry of Communications and Digital issued a nationwide directive on Sunday, September 6, 2026. The government strongly urges all Indonesian citizens to remain vigilant, analytical, and highly critical, advising the public not to trust speculative information that does not originate from official government statements.
This strict enforcement follows the rapid spread of online disinformation across social media platforms after the volcano’s alert status was elevated to Level III (High Alert). Several outdated video clips showing massive historical eruptions from past years have resurfaced online with misleading captions, falsely claiming to depict the volcano’s current state.
Overt government clarifications emphasize that these dramatic visuals circulating widely on digital platforms are classified as misinformation, repackaged solely to incite mass panic. In reality, actual ground conditions are under intense, real-time surveillance by geological authorities. Magmatic pressure and explosive fluctuations are being monitored 24/7, making all unverified social media claims of a catastrophic eruption completely invalid.
Minister of Communications and Digital, Meutya Hafid, stated that in emergency disaster responses, information accuracy is a vital element directly linked to public safety. She reminded the public to refrain from forwarding chain messages before validating them.
“In times like this, inaccurate information can easily trigger mass panic. Therefore, the principle of filtering before sharing must be strictly applied by every individual. Ensure the accuracy of your information by sourcing it directly from authorized bodies tasked with volcanic safety, thereby eliminating misleading rumors that disturb public peace,” Meutya Hafid addressed officially in Jakarta.
Technically, the ongoing eruption since the weekend has sent thick columns of volcanic ash thousands of meters into the atmosphere. The ash cloud, which has spread over parts of Banten, West Java, and the Jakarta metropolitan area, has not only forced temporary air traffic shutdowns at major commercial airports due to airspace safety hazards but has also begun degrading ambient air quality. Citizens are requested to remain calm, protect their physical health, and stop sharing speculative visuals that fuel anxiety.
To ensure the public accesses accurate guidance and remains protected from information manipulation, the government instructs citizens and media organizations to rely exclusively on three authoritative information channels:
- Volcanic Activity Sector: Continuous monitoring of magmatic fluctuations, seismic data, and safe boundary perimeters is strictly managed by the Geological Agency under the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, through the Center for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG).
- Weather and Air Dispersion Sector: Periodic updates regarding atmospheric wind patterns, Sunda Strait weather conditions, and volcanic ash plume mapping are provided regularly by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency (BMKG).
- Disaster Mitigation and Relief Sector: Logistics management, evacuee coordination, evacuation routes, and emergency responses are led directly by the National Disaster Management Agency (BNPB) in coordination with local regional governments.
Based on technical field assessments, fishermen, tourists, and local residents are strictly prohibited from conducting any activities within a 3-kilometer (approx. 1.86 miles) safety radius from Mount Anak Krakatau’s active crater. Commercial vessels navigating the Sunda Strait are also urged to intensify marine navigation vigilance.
Through this centralized communication approach, the government aims to keep Indonesia’s digital ecosystem orderly and free from deceptive visual propaganda. Residents in the affected areas are advised to stay calm, minimize outdoor exposure, wear standard protective masks, and actively verify every piece of incoming news to maintain public order.
Reporter: Timothy
Editor: bhayaksa.net Team
