Criticism On Social Media Of The Government 'Threatened In Prison', Jokowi Promises To Revise The ITE Law

President Jokowi (Youtube Setpres)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is aware of the emergence of discussions about criticism that lead to criminal charges, aka reporting to the police. Jokowi asked the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, to carefully handle the Electronic Information and Transaction Law (ITE) report.

Even if the ITE Law is deemed not to provide a sense of justice, Jokowi guarantees that he will propose a revision of the law which many consider restricting freedom of expression.

"If the ITE Law cannot provide a sense of justice, yes, I will ask the DPR to jointly revise this law. This ITE Law. Because this is the source. The source is here… revision”, said Jokowi in a statement via the Presidential Secretariat YouTube, Monday, February 15.

"Especially removing rubber articles which can be interpreted differently. Which is easy to interpret unilaterally", said Jokowi.

However, Jokowi emphasized that all parties must protect Indonesia's digital space.

"Again, to be clean, to be healthy, to be ethical, to be full of courtesy, to be full of manners, and to be productive", he continued.

Jokowi discussed the phenomenon of reporting to the police regarding the Electronic Information and Transaction Law (ITE). Jokowi emphasized that the law must be fair.

“Recently I have seen more and more community members reporting to each other. There is a legal process that is deemed not fulfilling a sense of justice. However, the reporter does have a legal reference”, said Jokowi in a statement via the Presidential Secretariat YouTube, Monday, February 15.

“It's a hassle. Among others, the ITE Law. I understand that the ITE Law has the spirit to keep Indonesia's digital space clean. To be healthy. To be ethical and to be used productively. But the implementation, should not cause a sense of injustice", he continued.

President Jokowi warned the National Police and the TNI to ensure democracy and a sense of justice in the community are maintained. Jokowi emphasized that Indonesia is a democracy.

"I ask the ranks of the TNI-Police to always respect and uphold democracy and provide a sense of justice to the community. our country is a democracy, which respects freedom of opinion and organization. Our country is a rule of law, which must carry out the law as fairly as possible, protect broader interests while ensuring a sense of justice for the people", Jokowi continued.

Therefore, Jokowi asked the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, to be selective in responding to reports of violations of the ITE Law. Police were asked to be careful in handling ITE case reports.

"Be careful, articles that can lead to multiple interpretations must be translated carefully, full of caution. Make a guideline for official interpretation of articles of the ITE Law, so that it is clear and the Chief of Police must increase supervision so that its implementation is consistent, accountable, and just", he continued.