Doctored video of East Java governor candidate falsely promises 'financial aid' to celebrate election win

Khofifah appears to offer the handout in a TikTok video from an account using the official's name as its handle, where it was viewed more than 1.8 million times.

The clip, posted on November 29, appears to show the former East Java governor speaking in Indonesian: "It is confirmed that I have won the East Java gubernatorial [election]. Therefore, to express my gratitude on this account, anyone who follows, likes and shares this TikTok video will receive financial aid from me."

"This is official and I will take responsibility for my words," she purportedly said.

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Screenshot of false post, taken on December 12, 2024

The video circulated days after Indonesia held regional elections on November 27, with official results expected on December 15 (archived link). 

Quick count results from several survey organisations show Khofifah is currently leading the race in East Java, where she previously held the governor post until February (archived link).

Similar clips of Khofifah apparently promising cash handouts to celebrate her win also circulated on TikTok here and here, as well as on Snack Video. 

Social media users left comments asking for the cash aid, apparently believing the video was genuine.

"Congratulation Mrs. Khofifah, I’m your supporter because you’re a Muslim. I have followed, liked and shared. Please if I get any relief send it to my BRI bank account," one user wrote.

"I will wait for your help for my children’s school tuition," another said.

However, the clip contains several inconsistencies that indicate it was likely created using artificial intelligence -- in addition to a robotic tone of voice and movement, Khofifiah's eyes are distorted several times. 

A curved light also appears behind her head as she speaks.

Old photo

A reverse image search on Google found the image of Khofifah used to create the hoax video matches a picture she uploaded to her official Instagram account on December 23, 2023 (archived link). 

The politician can be seen wearing the same yellow hijab and green-and-red-striped dress in the Instagram post, where she explained the dress she wore was made by a local fabric maker from a regency called Lamongan.

She does not mention any cash handout in the post.

Below is a screenshot comparison of the fabricated video (left) and genuine photo from Khofifah's Instagram (right):

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Screenshot comparison of the doctored video in the false post (left) and genuine photo from Khofifah's Instagram (right)

Makhyan Jibril, a spokesman for Khofifah's campaign team, told AFP the statement made in the circulating video was "not true" and that his team was still waiting for official results to be announced.

"It is very clear that those types of videos are made using AI (..) Please be careful, especially when it's a bombastic statement without solid evidence," he said on December 4.

In an Instagram post on December 1, Khofifah also rejected another altered video of her promising to give out financial aid, calling it a "hoax spread by irresponsible people" (archived link).

AFP has debunked videos of various Indonesian officials that were doctored to promote false handout claims, including President Prabowo Subianto and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.