"In essence, the draft law would take Indonesia back to the undemocratic era."Semarang, Central Java (ANTARA News) - The secretary general of the Indonesian Democratic Party Struggle (PDIP), Tjahjo Kumolo, has said his party has rejected the National Security Bill on grounds that it can potentially violate human rights.
"PDIP is also of the view that the bill is against the 1945 Constitution and several other existing laws," he told ANTARA News here on Thursday.
"Many articles in the draft law could be interpreted in various ways. The ones relating to security seem to empower authorities to bug, arrest and detain people without having to give any explanation. This could hamper democracy," Tjahyo said.
He stated that the draft law had the potential to threaten civilian rights and press freedom.
"In essence, the draft law would take Indonesia back to the undemocratic era," Tjahyo pointed out.
As a member of the opposition party in the House of Representatives, he said, he was ordered to return the draft law to the government because it overlapped with the existing laws.
"Regarding the significance of the law for Indonesian citizens, the draft law says it all," said Tjahyo, who is also a member of House Commission I on security affairs.
(Uu.H-YH/INE/KR-BSR)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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