REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BLITAR -- President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has called on the public to avoid spreading hoaxes and blasphemy ahead of the general election in 2019. Moreover, presidential election is near.

"Let us avoid such blasphemy. We are close to (the elections); in three months, we will have the presidential election," Jokowi stated, after handing over land certificate to Blitar residents here, on Thursday.

All parties should maintain public order, he noted. "We should share anything related to politics in a peaceful way; thus, it will not cause negative assumption among the public."

The president made his statement in response to fake news on voted ballots being stored in seven containers in Tanjung Priok Port of Jakarta.

"That was a hoax. The ballots are yet to be printed, and we already receive such fake news," he noted.

Such situation, he continued, would only raise negative thinking about fraud in the general elections. "Avoid issues related to hoaxes and blasphemy," Jokowi remarked.

On the challenge for presidential candidates to recite the Holy Quran, Jokowi explained that he would adhere to the regulation set by the General Election Commission (KPU).

"I am a contestant in the general elections, and it is KPU that will manage all things (related to the elections). It will be up to KPU, and we will comply with it," Jokowi revealed.

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