Electronic Transaction Draft Bills to be Passed Last Week

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - House of Representatives' Commission I overseeing defense and foreign affairs has agreed to pass the draft bill on the electronic information and transaction in a plenary session to be held next week.

"As many as ten factions have agreed to pass [the draft bill] into a law at the second level of session," House Commission I chairman Abdul Kharis Almasyhari said in Jakarta on Thursday, October 20, 2016.

Commission I member Alimin Abdullah agreed to finalize the draft bill with several conditions. The lawmaker from the National Mandate Party said that the provisions on wiretapping should not violate human rights. In addition, Alimin has agreed to reduce the sanctions for defamation from six years in prison and a fine of Rp 1 billion (US$77,000) to four years in prison and a fine of Rp 750 million (US$57,700).

Sukamta, member of the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) Faction, added that the provisions on defamation should be stipulated thoroughly and professionally, so that the right to express an opinion would not be hampered by technicalities. In addition, articles on questioning, investigation, initial investigation processes must be in line with the Criminal Code.

Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara also agreed on the passing of the draft bill in the House's plenary session. He agreed with the deduction of sanctions for defamation.

Rudiantara added that he also agreed with the Constitutional Court who decided to include the wiretapping procedures in the law.

DANANG FIRMANTO