Comments On The Song 'Pay Police' Sukatani Band, Fadli Zon: Freedom Of Expression There Are Limits
JAKARTA - Minister of Culture FadliZon also commented on the polemic of the song "Pay Payment" from the band Sukatani, which went viral on social media because the lyrics were considered to criticize the police.
According to Fadli, there are still limits that must be respected even though freedom of expression is the right of each individual, especially those related to law and ethics.
Fadli said the limit does not only cover the applicable laws in Indonesia, but also the ethics accepted by the community.
"I myself haven't heard the song. But, in principle, freedom must have a limit. Around the world, freedom of expression is not without rules," said Fadli Zon, Friday, February 21.
"But we support freedom of expression. But to what extent can we express freedom of expression," he continued.
Fadli emphasized that freedom of expression is important, but there must be clear restrictions. In particular, related to issues that can offend ethnicity, religion, race, and between groups (SARA). In the context of Indonesia, he said, sensitivity to SARA must be strictly maintained in order to maintain the peace and integrity of the nation.
"In my opinion, the limit is our law. Including SARA. In Indonesia, this is SARA. Tribes, religions, races, intergroups should not be touched on," said the deputy chairman of the Gerindra Party.
Fadli also highlighted the importance of maintaining the good name of institutions in freedom of expression. He reminded that criticism directed at a profession or institution should be uneven to all parties, but only to individuals who violate it.
"I think tertiary institutions, religious institutions, professional institutions. So if there are journalists, for example, one that is not in accordance with journalistic ethics, but suddenly being beaten evenly like that must be angry," he said.
"Well, maybe this is what happens in police cases, there is certainty. In every profession there is always. Yesterday there were lawyers. But it is impossible for all lawyers to be beaten evenly. Those who violate ethics are in all professions," continued Fadli.
The former deputy chairman of the DPR also reminded that in Indonesia, restrictions on free speech must be maintained in order to maintain social harmony. Unlike freedom of expression in Western countries which may be looser.
"I think this limit may be different from the values in the West, but in Indonesia, we must keep freedom of expression from damaging social stability," concluded FadliZon.