Indonesia is one step closer to joining the club of commendably democratic countries after the House of Representatives unanimously agreed to pass the freedom of information bill into law Thursday. In this spirit, the House must now move forward by nullifying any impending bills, like the state secrecy law, currently under deliberation at the House, which is against the spirit of reform and democratization of the new law.,

The passing of the new law will make Indonesia a member of a group of select countries recognizing the freedom of information as one's protected right, including Sweden, which has recognized the right since 1766, the United States since 1967 and Australia, Canada and New Zealand since 1982. What we need to prove is that we will also be able to implement what the law mandates us to implement.,

Despite the prolonged legislative process -- eight years since its initial draft was submitted to the House and then deliberated during the presidencies of Abdurrahman Wahid, Megawati Soekarnoputri and incumbent Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono -- the House deserves a thumbs-up for its bold move to pass the bill into law. The House has managed to overcome the government's strong resistance against several articles in the bill, mainly on the requirement for state companies to disclose any information requested by the public. | Fri, 04/04/2008 1:18 AM

Tifa Asrianti, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 04/04/2008 1:18 AM

Aditya Suharmoko and Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 04/04/2008 1:18 AM

Dicky Christanto, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar | Fri, 04/04/2008 1:18 AM

Z. Yamani, Contributor, Bandung | Fri, 04/04/2008 1:18 AM

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Fri, 04/04/2008 1:18 AM