The right of assembly

The question of licenses needed for various purposes has once again come to the fore. Among the reasons is the fact that Police Brig. Gen. (ret.) Mrs. Roekmini Koesoemo was recently denied the opportunity to speak at a meeting in Surabaya because of the lack of a permit. And most recently a get-together planned for W.S. Rendra at Emha Ainun Najib's house in Yogyakarta was canceled because no permit had been obtained.

It is no wonder that questions have arisen among the public as to the need for such licenses. Among other things, the legal grounds and the criteria for such actions have been questioned.

Actually it has long been proposed that this matter of licenses for meetings be regulated by legislation, as stipulated by Article 18 of the 1945 Constitution.

If we are truly consistent in our intent to foster a climate of openness, then the passing of a law to ensure the freedom of assembly has become an urgent matter.

-- Suara Pembaruan, Jakarta