Report Against Butet Kartaredjasa Similar To New Order Style

Butet Kertadjasa/DOK ANTARA

JAKARTA The Lingkar Nusantara (Lisan) Advocate Community Report against Butet Kartaredjasa artists is considered similar to the practices that occurred in the New Order Era as a form of intimidation of freedom of expression.

According to UGM legal observer, Yance Arizona, the report is a form of continued intimidation after previously Butet also received allegations of intimidation before performing a show. In fact, everyone has the right to freedom of association, assembly, and opinion, because it has been guaranteed in the constitution.

"This is a form of double intimidation experienced by art workers. Freedom of expression is the constitutional right of citizens," said Yance, Sunday, December 10.

He emphasized that as a country that adheres to a democratic system, officials or groups should not treat Butet as such. It is different if Indonesia implements authoritarian leadership.

Yance revealed that there is one anecdot to distinguish democratic and authoritarian countries, namely in the constitutional text of democratic and authoritarian countries, all containing provisions regarding freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

The difference is, in democratic countries, freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed at any time. In authoritarian countries, freedom of speech and expression is guaranteed. What is not guaranteed is freedom after speaking and expressing," he said.

He also assessed that the recent phenomenon indicates the turmoil of the emergence of new order styles, where frequent practices of intimidation and restrictions on freedom of expression often occur. "Currently, the same approach appears again," said Yance.

Previously, Butet Kartaredjasa was reported by the Lisan Advocate Community to the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police Headquarters after conveying allegations of intimidation experienced during an art performance at Taman Ismail Marzuki. Butet was reported for allegedly spreading false news or hoaxes in the case.