PAN Faction Regarding The Revision Of Electronic Information and Transaction Regulation: Usually, It Is Easier To Be Implemented Under The Government Suggestion

Illustration - DPR Building (Irfan Meidianto / VOI)

JAKARTA - The PAN (Partai Amanat Nasional) faction appreciates President Joko Widodo's attention and concern regarding the application of the Electronic Information and Transaction Law (UU ITE). So far, there are allegedly many members of the community who have been convicted of using the Pasal Karet (Catch-all articles) in the Act.

"Legal experts themselves say that there is a catch-all article in the law. Not only that, the rules that are regulated are also regulated in the Criminal Code. At least, the substance is the same", said Chairman of the PAN faction of the House of Representatives, Saleh Partaonan Daulay when contacted by VOI, Jakarta, Tuesday, February 16.

"The PAN faction would be happy if the government initiated the amendment of the Electronic Information and Transaction Law. Usually, if the government suggests it, the bureaucracy will be easier to implement. Moreover, the substance of the changes is clear. Of course, there will not be much questioning in the House of Representatives", he added.

"In my opinion, the urgency of amending the Electronic Information and Transaction Law has also been felt by all existing factions. So, if there is a proposal, it is believed that the majority of the factions will approve it", he added.

However, he added, in revising the Electronic Information and Transaction Law, there are several things that need to be considered.

First, these changes must be perfected and adapted to the development of existing information technology. Because this information technology changes very rapidly. Sometimes changes occur in a matter of weeks or months.

"If you want to revise it, all of it should be adjusted to contemporary IT developments. Including the development of social media. Also, the pandemic situation where the public is doing a lot of activities using the internet. However, be careful that there are no other catch-all articles that can easily ensnare as before", he said.

Second, the revision should be directed at the information technology management regulation, not an emphasis on criminalizing efforts. With regard to criminal rules, it should be regulated in the Criminal Code.

"If the issue of fraud, insults, incitement, fighting against each other, spreading incorrect data, etc., it is sufficient to stipulate in the Criminal Code. That way, the implementation of the Electronic Information and Transaction Law is easier. There is no overlap", said Saleh.

As previously reported, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) was aware of the emergence of discussions about criticism that led to criminal charges. Jokowi asked the National Police Chief, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, to carefully handle the Electronic Information and Transaction Law report.

Even if the Electronic Information and Transaction 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 Electronic Information and Transaction Law cannot provide a sense of justice, yes, I will ask the House of Representatives to revise this law. Because this is the center of the problem”, said Jokowi in a statement via the Presidential Secretariat YouTube channel, Monday, February 15.

"Especially removing the catch-all 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, all of this is done in order to make Indonesia's digital space clean, healthy, ethical, full of courtesy, full of manners, and productive", he continued.