Government overreaction<\/p>\n
From Neraca<\/p>\n
The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) reproaches the
\ngovernment for its hypersensitivity and overreaction in
\nresponding to a statement made by Prof Dr. Jeffrey Winters.<\/p>\n
President Habibie's statement that Jeffrey Winters should be
\nsubjected to legal action and an entry ban for insulting the
\nIndonesian government has once again shown the low credibility of
\nHabibie's administration. Not only has this transitional
\ngovernment shown their lack of seriousness in eradicating
\npractices of collusion, corruption and nepotism (KKN), but it has
\nalso consciously adopted the Soeharto regime's styles of
\nintimidation to suppress opinions.<\/p>\n
AJI holds that the criminal allegation addressed to Jeffrey
\nWinters and the entry ban slapped on him constitute an improper
\nprecedent embarrassing to the Indonesian people. What the
\ngovernment is doing now is reminiscent of similar measures taken
\nby the Soeharto regime against foreign experts and journalists
\nattempting to reveal the facts of corruption and collusion in
\nIndonesia, such as the 1985 case of David Jenkins.<\/p>\n
As set forth in Article 28 of the 1945 Constitution, freedom
\nof speech is accorded an honorable place in the constitution.
\nStatements, allegations and condemnations addressed to high-
\nranking government officials must be responded to by proving that
\nthese statements, allegations and condemnations are not true and
\nnot by slapping an entry ban on, detaining or imprisoning those
\nmaking the statements, allegations and condemnations. This is in
\nconformity with the principle of public accountability as the
\nmanifestation of people's sovereignty.<\/p>\n
As an organization highly concerned with the freedom of the
\npress and the freedom of speech, AJI strongly criticizes what
\ngovernment officials have said and done against Winters because
\ntheir statements and actions contradict the principles of the
\nfreedom of speech and academic freedom. AJI therefore ask
\ngovernment officials to retract their improper statements and
\nundo their undue actions against Winters.<\/p>\n
It is only proper for Ginandjar Kartasasmita to prove that he
\nis not involved in any practice of KKN, both in connection with
\nPT Freeport and in his capacity as a minister in Soeharto's
\nregime and Habibie's administration. It is only fitting,
\ntherefore, that the prosecution office and other law enforcement
\nelements should probe the alleged practice of KKN by Ginandjar
\nKartasasmita.<\/p>\n
LUKAS LUWARSO<\/p>\n
and DADANG<\/p>\n
AJI chairman and secretary<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/government-overreaction-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }