Jokowi: No Criminalization Of Freedom Of Expression

President Jokowi/BPMI Setpres

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has asked that there be no more criminalization of people who express their opinions. He asked that no more parties should be punished for violating the Electronic Information and Transaction Law (UU ITE).

Moreover, Jokowi has ordered the National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo to put forward educational and persuasive steps to deal with cases that intersect with the legislation.

"I understand the public's anxiety and concern (related to, ed) criminal sanctions in the ITE Law. The National Police Chief has followed up the orders I instructed to put forward educational and persuasive steps in the ITE Law case," Jokowi said in the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube show, Friday, December 10.

"There should be no criminalization of freedom of expression," he added.

Jokowi then alluded to cases involving the ITE Law which shocked the country. The first is Baiq Nuril Maknun, a former administrative employee of SMA Negeri 7 Mataram.

He was charged with the ITE Law for exposing sexual harassment by the principal of the school where he worked. While the second case is a lecturer at Syiah Kuala University (Unsyiah) Saiful Mahdi who criticized the results of the CPNS test.

"With the support of the DPR, I have granted amnesty to Mrs. Baiq Nuril and Mr. Saiful Mahdi who were convicted of violating the ITE Law," said Jokowi.

Even though he asked that there be no criminalization, he reminded all parties to be careful and responsible for the rights they have. Each opinion submitted must take into account the interests of the wider community.

"I also remind you that freedom of expression must be carried out responsibly for the interests of the wider community," he said.