DPR Deputy Speaker Criticize Use of Treason Law by Police

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The House of Representatives (DPR) deputy speaker Fahri Hamzah expressed his criticism against the use of treason law to someone who made a statement in public space. According to Fahri, a person could be said to practice treason if he possessed weapons.

“I appeal to the police to not use a treason law [to charge people] because it can only be used for people having a weapon. Not the otherwise,” said Fahri in the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, Thursday, May 16.

Fahri conveyed his remark in response to a report submitted by a legislative candidate from PDIP, Dewi Tanjung. She reported the PAN honorary board chairman Amien Rais to Jakarta Metro Police for alleged treason related to his call for people power.

He questioned a person’s statement in a public space that could be said to initiate treason because such a criminal act had its legal term so it could not be fabricated.

“The article on treason is called onslaught; using verbal or weapon. But verbal onslaught has been removed,” he underlined.

According to Fahri, opinions that lead to provocation in the democracy era should not be seen as a harmful issue.

Earlier, the former speaker of People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Amien Rais was reported to Jakarta Metro Police by Dewi Tanjung for alleged treason following his call for people power in front of the Election Commission (KPU) building on March 31. Tanjung also reported Rizieq Shihab and Bachtiar Nasir.

 ANTARA

Read: Amien Rais Reported to Police for Treason Through People Power