'Freedom of expression' rule goes to House

'Freedom of expression' rule goes to House

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Justice Muladi said on Friday it
would be "no problem" if legislators decided to reject a proposed
government regulation placing restrictions on demonstrations in
lieu of a law on freedom of expression "as long as the reasons
were clear".

Muladi was introducing government regulation No. 2/1998 for
deliberation to the House of Representatives, saying that
demonstrations "have frequently caused destruction, looting and
burning of shops and buildings belonging to the government and
the private sector".

Responding to criticism of the controversial draft rule,
Muladi said that while the government did not intend to suppress
people from expressing their aspirations, "demonstrations should
be orderly and democratic to avoid the feeling of insecurity".

Legislators Usamah Hisyam and Sutradara Ginting separately
told The Jakarta Post that while public order needed to be
maintained, the regulation's requirements for police notification
and permits prior to demonstrations could easily be abused.

"If a permit is required, it could be easily abused to filter
the material used (in the demonstration). That wouldn't be
freedom anymore," Usamah of the United Development Party said.

Ginting argued that demonstrators should only have to notify
police before a rally. "If a permit was requested, the police
could just reject it," Ginting of the Commission I for political
affairs said.

He argued that the situation was not as urgent as to require a
regulation in lieu of a law, saying that a law on freedom of
expression should be drafted in tandem with public aspirations.

Other requirements could still be debated, he said, suggesting
that responsible parties should be liable for any legal
violations during rallies.

One of the draft's most controversial clauses states that
demonstrations involving less than 50 people would need prior
police notification, while those with more than 50 participants
would require police permits. Usamah said the government should
allow people to publicly express themselves since they had been
severely restricted in the past.

"People have just started to breath in the freedom of
expression since the 'reform era' started three months ago.
Besides, there are other more important things like ensuring food
for the needy."

A public hearing on the bill is scheduled with Muladi next
Thursday. Usamah said that if the enforcement of the regulation
were postponed, demonstration organizers should keep their
rallies peaceful. (01)