Government Revokes Papua and West Papua Internet Restriction
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5 September 2019 20:08 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister of Politics, Law, and Security Issues Wiranto announced that the government has officially revoked its internet curbing in Papua and West Papua, which was done via bandwidth throttling, on Thursday, September 5.
“I received reports from the National Police Chief, intelligence (BIN), suggesting that conditions there have improved. As of September 5, the internet blocking has been revoked,” said Wiranto at the Ministry’s headquarters on September 5.
The dropping of the controversial policy fulfills Wiranto’s promise he made once security concerns in the two regions are considered able to be maintained.
However, Wiranto suggested that internet access can be curbed abruptly if authorities consider situations have worsened again.
“We sure hope it does not [worsen],” he said.
The internet restriction in Papua had been effective since Wednesday, August 21, 2019, in an attempt to suppress the spread of fake information that could potentially add fuel to the fire.
FRISKI RIANA
