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Papua press freedom means to win over int'l opinion: Lawmaker
President Joko âJokowiâ Widodoâs move to allow foreign journalists to enter Papua is seen as a way to win back the trust of the international community following the recent executions of foreigners, a lawmaker says
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P
resident Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo's move to allow foreign journalists to enter Papua is seen as a way to win back the trust of the international community following the recent executions of foreigners, a lawmaker says.
Deputy head of the House of Representatives Commission I overseeing international affairs Hanafi Rais said that Jokowi was trying to win back international opinion by sending a message that Indonesia was an open country that welcomed the international press with open arms.
Aside from that, he added that Jokowi was also trying to prove to the world about Papua's stability.
'It seems that the President is very sure that Papua's development processes, such as infrastructure improvement, can become a success story that can be covered by the international media,' Hanafi told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday.
'Through the principle of 'all-sides covered', the President hopes that Indonesia's success stories will complement all the negative coverage of Indonesia's government,' the National Mandate Party lawmaker said.
Hanafi reminded Jokowi to make sure that the Indonesian Military (TNI) would not become a target for the foreign media to promote foreign interests in Papua.
Previously, fellow Commission I deputy head Tantowi Yahya told the Post on Monday that the government must be aware of the potential concerns that the free access might attract, and how to deal with them. (hhr)
