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Policymakers try to soften draconian provisions in Criminal Code bill
The government and lawmakers are trying to soften some draconian provisions in a bill aimed at replacing Indonesia’s colonial-era Criminal Code (KUHP) in an apparent bid to quell public outcry, as lawmakers seek to pass it before their recess next month.
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Students protest against the Criminal Code bill in front of the House of Representatives compound in Jakarta on Sept. 23, 2019. (JP/Donny Fernando)
T
he government and lawmakers are trying to soften some draconian provisions in a bill aimed at revising Indonesia’s colonial-era Criminal Code (KUHP) in an apparent bid to quell public outcry, as lawmakers seek to pass it before their recess next month.
The controversial articles include those on a ban on insulting a sitting president and the death penalty, which were at the heart of student demonstrations that forced a delay in the passing of the bill some three years ago.
Deputy Law and Human Rights Minister Edward “Eddy” OS Hiariej told a meeting with lawmakers last week that the government had either reformulated or removed 14 problematic topics following feedback from the public.
“The government, throughout 2021, has been hosting public discussions [to get] opinions regarding these provisions," Eddy said during a meeting with the House of Representatives' Commission III overseeing legal affairs on Wednesday.
"We have made some improvements based on the results [of the discussion]."
Commission III agreed to the changes proposed by the government, with deputy head Desmond Mahesa from Gerindra Party expecting the bill to be passed in a House plenary session in July.
Read also: Jokowi bows to public pressure, calls for delay in passing Criminal Code bill into law
