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arch 24, Online

Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara said his ministry had established a team to examine websites allegedly containing radical teachings to curb the widespread influence of radical movements in Indonesia.

Your comments:

It baffles me to read the argument from this Rudiantara that says his team cannot understand or decide whether a website contains radical teachings or not. Well of course you have a hard time. Does the word '€œlaw'€ ring a bell?

Yes, you first need to define the law that will be used to regulate the subject at hand.

In this particular case, you need to ask (or even force) the government to issue some kind of national security related laws that define the type of website content or groups categorized as spreading radical teachings.

Having a specific law that guides your job is particularly important as it will justify any decision you made on the subject. If you'€™re too lazy to think, try to look at the recently established counterterrorist laws on radical religious movements established and even executed in the US and many EU countries.

Now I won'€™t say that the developed team consisting of these religious representatives is totally unnecessary as it at least can help reduce possible religious tensions that may occur should a website or group conveying a particular religious teaching be banned.

But it is important to remember that the final decision must be the government'€™s (through the police, intelligence services and Communication and Information Ministry) and any input from these religious representatives on this matter should be treated as nothing more than suggestions.

Itsbad