Ahmad Sahroni, a politician born in Jakarta on August 8, 1977, has recently returned to the public spotlight. His name has been widely discussed not only because of his political career but also due to a series of controversial remarks that many considered offensive to the public.
Raised in a modest family in the port area of Tanjung Priok, Sahroni began his political journey when he joined the NasDem Party in 2013. A year later, he was elected as a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) representing Jakarta’s Electoral District III, continuing his role through the 2024 period. Yet, his rising career was not without turbulence. After serving as Deputy Chair of Commission III, he was reassigned to Commission I following his controversial response regarding the issue of dissolving the DPR, a statement that drew heated public attention.
That response soon sparked a wave of mass demonstrations from August 25 to 29, 2025. Public anger reached its peak when Sahroni’s private residence in Tanjung Priok was looted on August 30, 2025. The following day, an X account under the name “Sahroni Berdikari” posted an apology, claiming that he could not return to Indonesia for the sake of his family’s safety. Instead of calming the situation, the post fueled even greater outrage as it was deemed lacking empathy and seen as an attempt to shirk responsibility amid the tense atmosphere. The post quickly went viral and was even picked up by several major media outlets.However, suspicions soon arose. It was later revealed that the account had only been created in August 2025. The NasDem Party faction promptly issued an official clarification on September 1, 2025, confirming that the account was fake and had no connection to Ahmad Sahroni. Shortly after the clarification spread, the fake account disappeared without a trace.
Fake accounts like this are not a new phenomenon. In 2014, the public was rattled by a fake account impersonating TV presenter Rosianna Silalahi, which expressed political support for a particular side. A similar case occurred in 2022 when a fake account under the name of former Vice President Ma’ruf Amin spread false narratives about his alleged participation in a meeting.
These cases demonstrate just how quickly misinformation can grow in the digital sphere. In critical moments, such as during mass protests, false information can easily sway public opinion, especially when emotions are running high. This underscores the importance of digital literacy—society must be equipped with the ability to verify information before believing or amplifying it further.
Beyond that, this phenomenon highlights a significant challenge in achieving SDG Goal 4: Quality Education. Digital literacy is an essential component of modern education, yet it remains an unresolved issue in Indonesia. Without critical skills to sift through information, society will remain vulnerable to digital manipulation. Therefore, the case of Ahmad Sahroni’s fake account should not be viewed merely as political gossip but as a crucial reminder that strengthening media literacy is vital to improving the overall quality of education in Indonesia.
Communication Perspective Article Vol #2