Legislator's job

Legislator's job

From Bisnis Indonesia

I take offense with Minister of Finance Mar'ie Muhammad's emotional "appeal" at the House of Representatives asking journalists to write and report more responsibly. His attitude is shameful and proves that he is incapable of exercising self- control.

I deny ever having said that the Minister of Finance explicitly threatened the press. However, any government "appeal" or piece of advice is usually intended to prevent society from doing something. Essentially, government advice can be interpreted as a warning.

This is evident from the way the government officials act toward the press: the revocation of magazines, the making of off- the-record statements, banning the publication of news reports, and authorities issuing warnings not to release news reports.

Such obstacles to the press are an attempt by the government to deny press freedom. This also means a denial of openness and is contrary to democracy.

Law is above everything. So, if the press violates the law, let them face the law and not the powers that be.

What I have been trying to achieve during my time as a legislator in this government is in line with my task and function as a people's representative. Therefore, the Minister needs not have responded to my statement with such antipathy.

SRI-BINTANG PAMUNGKAS

Legislator

Jakarta