Press Council Asks Jokowi to Postpone Enactment of New Criminal Code

21 November 2022 22:47 WIB

TEMPO.CO, JakartaThe Press Council wrote to President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on November 17, 2022, asking for the enactment of the criminal code bill (RKUHP) to be postponed as it contains articles that hinder press freedom.

"The contents of the RKUHP still limit press freedom and have the potential to criminalize journalistic work," said the acting chairperson of the Press Council Muhamad Agung Dharmajaya, in an official statement, Sunday, November 20, 2022.

The Press Council had submitted proposals to revise crucial articles to the government since July 20, 2022. However, the government in its response last October through the Ministry of Law and Human Rights had not yet accommodated it.

Furthermore, there was no explanation from the government about which articles have been accommodated and which articles have not been accommodated. In addition, the government did not provide any argument concerning the articles. 

Agung also stated that the Press Council had submitted a request to revise the draft bill to the House of Representatives (DPR) Legal Commission at a public hearing on August 23, 2022. The DPR also welcomed the request and then forwarded it to the government.

Other than postponing the bill ratification, the Press Council suggested case simulations on several articles that have the potential to impede press freedom and called for transparency related to the draft bill sent to the DPR so that it could be easily accessed by the people.

Agung however, continued to underline that the Press Council will continue to support efforts to reform the Criminal Code as outlined in the RKUHP academic text.

Despite the protests, discussions on the RKUHP will continue. The DPR's Legal Commission along with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights will discuss the final draft of the bill on Thursday, November 24, 2022. The spokesperson for the bill socialization team, Albert Aries, stated that the draft would continue to be finalized in discussions with the DPR later.

"Any input and suggestions from civil society will certainly always be heard [right to be heard] and considered [right to be accommodated] by the government and the DPR as a form of meaningful participation," Albert said concerning the criminal code draft bill to Tempo on Monday, November 21, 2022.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo in Google News



House Passes Job Creation Perpu into Law

4 hari lalu

House Passes Job Creation Perpu into Law

DPR officially ratifies the bill concerning the Perppu on job creation into law at the 19th plenary session held today, March 21.


Pertamina Asserts Plumpang Depot Can't Be Closed Immediately

9 hari lalu

Pertamina Asserts Plumpang Depot Can't Be Closed Immediately

Pertamina Director Nicke Widyawati underlines that the Plumpang oil depot in North Jakarta is unlikely to be closed in the near future.


Domestic Workers to Camp outside DPR in Protest of Delayed PRT Bill Issuance

15 hari lalu

Domestic Workers to Camp outside DPR in Protest of Delayed PRT Bill Issuance

Domestic Workers joined in the Civil Coalition are determined to camp outside the DPR building on March 11-13.


Expert Says Ferdy Sambo Can't Escape Death Penalty Despite New Criminal Code Law

33 hari lalu

Expert Says Ferdy Sambo Can't Escape Death Penalty Despite New Criminal Code Law

Criminal law expert Boris Tampubolon assessed that Ferdy Sambo would not be able to escape the death penalty.


Jokowi's Job Creation Perpu Deemed a Violation, Says a PSHK Researcher

36 hari lalu

Jokowi's Job Creation Perpu Deemed a Violation, Says a PSHK Researcher

PSHK insists that the Job Creation Regulation in Lieu of Law (Perpu) issued by President Jokowi has violated the 1945 Constitution.


House Legislator Furious in Monday's Meikarta DPR Hearing

37 hari lalu

House Legislator Furious in Monday's Meikarta DPR Hearing

The House Hearing on Monday was held to dissect and discuss the issue surrounding the troubled apartment Meikarta project.


Religious Ministry Proposes New Hajj Fee Hike to Rp49.8mn

37 hari lalu

Religious Ministry Proposes New Hajj Fee Hike to Rp49.8mn

Hajj and Umrah DG propose a new hike in this year's hajj fee during today's meeting with the DPR Commission VIII.


Press Law Challenged Again at the Constitutional Court

38 hari lalu

Press Law Challenged Again at the Constitutional Court

The Press Law has once again been challenged for a constitutional review at the Constitutional Court (MK).


Govt Explains Why Excises on Sweet Drinks, Plastics Yet to Be Applied

38 hari lalu

Govt Explains Why Excises on Sweet Drinks, Plastics Yet to Be Applied

Customs and Excise DG respond to the DPR's criticism over the delay in the implementation of excises on sweet drinks and plastic packaging.


House Member Reveals 2023 Hajj Fee to Be Under Rp68mn

38 hari lalu

House Member Reveals 2023 Hajj Fee to Be Under Rp68mn

The House Commission VIII member Yandri Susanto reveals that this year's hajj fee will be announced tomorrow, February 15, 2023.