For THOSE Who Criticize The Criminal Code, The Ministry Of Law And Human Rights: Don't Talk About It, Read And Understand In The Past

Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Prof. Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej during an interview with the mass media crew in Jakarta, Monday, (ANTARA/Muhammad Zulfikar).

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kemenkumham) asked the public to first understand the contents of the articles listed in the new Criminal Code (KUHP) before delivering criticism. "Don't just talk, so before asking questions, read first. If you have read, you understand first," said Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights (Wamenkumham) Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Monday, December 12. This was conveyed by the Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights in response to a question about Article 263 of the Criminal Code. Referring to the draft of the Criminal Code Bill version 30 November 2022, the article regulates broadcasting or spreading false news or notification. In full, Article 263 Paragraph (1) reads that every person who broadcasts or disseminates news or notification even though he is known that the news or notification is a lie that resulted in riots in society, will be punished with imprisonment for a maximum of six years or a maximum fine of category V. Then Paragraph (2) reads that anyone who broadcasts or disseminates news or notifications even though it is reasonable to suspect that the news or notification is a lie, which could result in riots in society, will be punished with imprisonment for a maximum of four years or a maximum fine of category IV. To reporters, Eddy added, this article is not a new article because it is already in Law Number 1 of 1946 concerning Criminal Law Regulations, precisely Articles 14 and 15. On that occasion, the Professor of Criminal Law at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) emphasized that there was no problem with Article 263 regulated in the Criminal Code which was recently ratified by the Government together with the DPR on Tuesday, December 6. In line with that, Minister of Law and Human Rights (Menkumham) Yasonna Hamonangan Laoly said that before the newly passed Criminal Code became law, the government had coordinated with the Press Council. "We have met with the Press Council and explained it," he said.