Curbing freedom of expression

The official habit of issuing instant policies appears to be lingering in the current Reform Development Cabinet. To manage even the most weighty issues, the authorities are still inclined to prefer to cut corners and disregard proper procedures and public aspirations. The latest example is the issuance of Government Decree No.21/1998 governing the freedom of expression.

No sooner was it announced than the decree drew sharp reactions from almost all sides. Critics charged that far from ensuring any freedom, the decree limits the freedom of citizens to express their views. Many critics and observers want the decree either revised or rescinded altogether.

We understand this popular attitude with regard to the new regulation. In the current climate of reform and amid efforts to establish a democratic order in this country, the decree appears extremely aberrant. And it's not only because of its content. The issuance of the decree also ignored proper procedures and is out of place in the current political climate.

On the other hand, we do understand why the government has felt it necessary to issue such a restrictive decree under present circumstances. The May 13 to May 15 upheavals have created a national trauma and has left an exceedingly deep impact on our society -- socially, politically, culturally and economically.

Nevertheless, the May upheavals cannot be regarded as being the result solely of our community's disregard of the law. Rather, it must in all fairness be viewed as a consequence of the inability of the political and social system that we have been developing over the past 32 years to accommodate and channel the potential that is alive in our society.

With regard to this most important matter, we advise the government to start working out proper draft legislation and submit it to be discussed openly in the House of Representatives.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta