Cabinet discusses bill on street protests
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto presented President B.J. Habibie a bill on freedom of expression which includes guidelines for holding street protests at yesterday's cabinet meeting.
Minister of Information Lt. Gen. Muhammad Yunus said the bill, to be submitted soon to the House of Representatives, was urgently needed because the country does not yet have a comprehensive law on street demonstrations.
The bill guarantees the freedom to demonstrate, but also includes several restrictions on the number of demonstrators, venues of protests and the necessity to obtain permits from the police.
"Demonstrations or public protests at the State Palace, places of worship and military offices will not be allowed according to the bill," Yunus told journalists after attending the four-hour cabinet meeting on economy, finance and industry at the Bina Graha presidential office.
According to the bill, the protest organizer is required to notify police three days before the demonstration and report detail routes and the purpose of the activity.
"But a police permit is required if the number of protesters is to be more than 100 people," Yunus noted.
The government issued a decree in August 1995 on the abolition of permit requirements for all kinds of gatherings.
It maintains however the requirement to obtain official permits for demonstrations and other street activities which could disrupt public order.
Despite the apparent relaxation of requirements, in practice police still often dispersed meetings which were organized or attended by antigovernment activists.
Weeks before the resignation of former president Soeharto on May 21, students throughout the country ignored military warnings on a ban not to march in the streets.
Yunus said yesterday that the bill was meant to implement Article 28 of the 1945 Constitution which guarantees freedom of expression.
Yunus pointed out quickly that the draft was totally open for further discussion and revision and the House would have the final say.
"Do not worry, this is just a draft," Yunus stressed. (prb)