Law on freedom of expression enacted<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Cabinet ministers confirmed on Thursday that
\nPresident B.J. Habibie enacted the law on freedom of expression
\non Oct. 23, the day after the House of Representatives endorsed
\nit.<\/p>\n
The confirmation that the law -- produced after an
\nunprecedently short deliberation period of only 20 days -- had
\ncome into effect was given separately by Minister of
\nDefense\/Armed Forces (ABRI) Commander Gen. Wiranto and
\nMinister\/State Secretary Akbar Tandjung.<\/p>\n
"President Habibie signed the freedom of expression bill on
\nOct. 23. The law has been in effect since then," Akbar told
\nreporters after attending a welcome ceremony for the new
\nambassadors of the Netherlands and Luxembourg.<\/p>\n
After accompanying Habibie at a meeting with Brunei
\nDarussalam's military commander Maj. Gen. Pengiran Abidin bin
\nPengiran Ahmad, Wiranto told reporters: "The law became effective
\non the same day the President put his signature on the document."<\/p>\n
He refused to respond to reporters' question whether the rowdy
\nrally of about 10,000 students outside the House complex on
\nWednesday had breached any regulations.<\/p>\n
Both ministers accepted the public had yet to become familiar
\nwith the law. Wiranto called on both security personnel and
\nlegislators to help publicize it.<\/p>\n
"We hope everybody, especially those who choose demonstrations
\nas the means of expressing their opinions and aspirations, can
\nunderstand and immediately put the articles into practice,"
\nWiranto said.<\/p>\n
"Hopefully, there will be no misunderstanding between the
\nprotesters, who want to air their aspirations, and the security
\nforces, who seek to maintain order," he added.<\/p>\n
The Armed Forces commander dismissed speculation that the
\nspeedy enactment of the new law was meant to bar people from
\nstaging demonstrations.<\/p>\n
"Please bear in mind the security apparatus' presence (at
\nrallies) is not meant to prevent the demonstrations. They are
\nonly there to... monitor... so the events will be orderly and
\nnot disturb other people's activities," he said.<\/p>\n
"Any activities which are meant to channel the freedom of
\nexpression of individuals or groups of individuals should not
\ndisturb other people's freedom to carry on with their
\nactivities."<\/p>\n
The law says that protesters need to notify the police in
\nwriting three days ahead of any planned demonstration.<\/p>\n
Details must include the objectives of the gathering, the
\nvenue, itinerary, time of commencement and duration, names and
\naddresses of the individuals or groups organizing the action,
\nequipment to be used and the number of participants.<\/p>\n
The term "expression of opinion in public" in the law covers
\ndemonstrations, street rallies, mass gatherings, and free-speech
\nforums.<\/p>\n
Minister of Justice Muladi suggested on Thursday the
\ngovernment should formally announce that the law had come into
\neffect so the public could adapt to it.<\/p>\n
He also commented on Wednesday's massive rally when the
\nprotesters, unhappy at being blocked from approaching the
\ncomplex, occupied the six-lane Jl. Gatot Subroto and the toll
\nroad between the two carriageways and tore down the wire fence
\nbetween the street and the toll road.<\/p>\n
"We still tolerate their actions, (because we're) still
\nwaiting for the new law to be publicized before enforcing it to
\nthe letter," Muladi said after installing six new State
\nAdministrative Courts and the Cibinong District Court in Bogor
\nregency.<\/p>\n
Jakarta Military Commander Maj. Gen. Djadja Suparman said the
\nstudents would not have damaged any property had they understood
\nthe new law.<\/p>\n
Asked whether the student demonstrators had become "anarchic",
\nDjadja said they should have stopped after they finished airing
\ntheir demands. (imn\/ivy)<\/p>",
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