Inp.polri.go.id - Malang. Minister of Law and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly urged university students and the younger generation to remain vigilant in the face of misinformation ahead of the 2024 General Election. Speaking during a Guest Lecture as part of the State Defense Program at Brawijaya University in Malang, East Java on Thursday (14/9/2023), the minister emphasized the significant and detrimental consequences of the rampant spread of hoaxes and false information. "It is perfectly acceptable to criticize the government, but it should be constructive. Generating hoaxes is destructive, especially in the lead-up to an election," he was quoted by antaranews.com as saying. To avoid falling victim to misinformation, Minister Yasonna implored intellectuals, particularly university students, to apply logic and fact-check negative information they encounter. "Unscrupulous individuals disseminate hoaxes, and unfortunately, some people put their trust in these falsehoods. Hence, it's crucial for the younger generation not to readily accept divisive information," he said. Minister Yasonna urged students to think critically, fact-check, and avoid spreading divisive hoaxes, particularly those tied to identity politics, for the sake of the nation's well-being. He underscored the importance of Indonesia's rich diversity, suggesting it should serve as a model for strengthening unity. "We are a nation of great diversity, and we must stand united. Criticize with substantiated facts and focus on initiatives that foster unity, not those that divide us," he said, urging them to disseminate accurate information, avoiding the propagation of hoaxes and false news.