Constructive criticism against state institutions such as the National Police should be fine if exercised within boundaries, Culture Minister Fadli Zon said in response to the alleged intimidation by authorities against punk band Sukatani for its song criticizing the police.

On Thursday, the Purbalingga-based band posted a video on its Instagram account addressed to the National Police and its chief, Gen. Listyo Sigit Prabowo, apologizing for their song, “Bayar, Bayar, Bayar” (Pay, Pay Pay), and its lyrics that were intended to criticize police officers who violate regulations and take bribes.

The lyrics pointed to corrupt practices such as bribery and extortion, with some lines translated as: "Reporting a lost item? Pay the police! Want to become a police officer? Pay the police! Want to commit corruption? Pay the police!"

“It is essential to support free speech,” Fadli said on Friday as quoted by Kompas TV, “but it must not infringe [upon] the rights and freedoms of others.”

Freedom of speech in Indonesia, he explained, has certain limitations, particularly regarding race, religion and ethnicity as well as “institutions that could be affected”.

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The minister admitted that he had not listened to the song, but said it would not have become a problem if the song had targeted an individual. 

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