TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has clarified that his recent comment on a ‘Russian propaganda’ was not meant as an offense against Russia as a nation but was mainly criticizing the falsehood theory originally coined by a US non-profit institution, RAND Corporation.

“Yes, we are not talking about a nation, not Russia, but the terminology from a RAND Corporation article,” said Jokowi during his attendance in the 72nd Islamic Students Community anniversary in Jakarta yesterday.

Read also: Jokowi Not Accusing Russia of Meddling in Politics: Golkar

The article he meant was the journal issued by the institution entitled "The Russian “Firehouse of Falsehood" Propaganda Model: Why It Might Work and Options to Counter It,” composed by Christopher Paul and Miriam Matthews.

The president argues that the technique of the firehouse and falsehood can potentially influence the public and create uncertainties. He said that it is a product of constant bombardment of inaccurate information, which is something Jokowi has criticized recently.

President Jokowi maintains that Indonesia and Russia has a great bilateral relationship and talked about his personal relations with Vladimir Putin which he claims is “a really-really great relationship.”

Responding to Jokowi`s statement, the Russian Embassy in Jakarta stressed that Russia does not intervene in the Indonesian presidential election in a twitter post on February 4.

AHMAD FAIZ IBNU SANI