BEM UI Set to Coordinate Big Wave of Protests against New Criminal Code

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The House of Representatives (DPR) officially passed a revised criminal code or RKUHP at a plenary meeting held today, December 6, 2022. Head of the University of Indonesia’s (UI) student executive body (BEM), Bayu Satria Utomo, said the bill still contains a number of problematic articles.

Among the problematic articles, said Bayu, is the one that regulates insults and demonstrations. Bayu said he will hold meetings with students in other regions to voice their rejection of the new law.

“Of course, we will try to present a large wave of protest. We will discuss and consolidate it, not only in Jakarta but throughout Indonesia,” said Bayu in front of the DPR Building, Tuesday, November 6, 2022.

According to him, the government and DPR insisted on passing the bill albeit there are a number of vague articles. For example, the article on insulting state institutions.

Bayu argued that this article has the potential to suppress students' freedom of expression since there is no clear boundary between criticism and insult.

Thus, he said the closest step that will be taken is preparing students’ movement before taking to the streets to stage protests against the new criminal code.

“We will consolidate it first, we will strengthen the movement in each region. We will take to the streets if necessary,” said Bayu.

IMA DINI SHAFIRA

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