Better to open it ourselves as long as it is not a secretJakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs, Mahfud MD, appealed to public agencies to not hide information from people, as they would uncover it quickly through social media.
Public agencies should be open about information apart from the one stipulated in Law No. 14 of 2008 on Public Information Openness (UU KIP), he remarked.
Information that can potentially trigger disturbance should have been anticipated, he noted during the "2022 Public Information Openness Award" in Tangerang, Banten, Wednesday.
"Better to open it ourselves as long as it is not a secret," he remarked.
Strengthening diversity and encouraging information access to support public information openness are characteristics of a democratic government, he noted.
Openness of public information also serves as a parameter for the implementation of transparency and even became an important part in improving public participation.
"Indonesia should advance inclusive and accountable democracy that prioritizes the interest of all citizens," Mahfud stated.
Fulfillment of rights over information for the people is an important element from human rights that the people fought for during reformation to develop democracy in Indonesia.
To this end, he expects public agencies' awareness of public information openness to increase in the future.
During the event, Mahfud highlighted the importance of information openness in the general election.
Principle of public information openness is a foundational aspect for the realization of transparent general election, he explained.
Moreover, he noted that the lack of response to the development of information technology can have negative impacts, including the potential to threaten national security.
"Thus, public agencies should be accurate and trusted to be able to capture hoax information and strengthen our national security," he stated.
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Translator: Melalusa S K, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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