President Jokowi Orders Cabinet Ministers to Intensify Public Discussion on Criminal Code Bill

Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, Minister of Communications and Informatics Johnny G. Plate, and Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej deliver press statement at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (08/02). (Photo by: PR/Rizki)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered his Cabinet Ministers to intensify public discussion on the Criminal Code Bill (RKUHP) to educate the public and receive their inputs.

“The President has ordered us, the related Government officials to ensure that the public obtain a comprehensive understanding about the debatable issue,” Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD said in a press statement, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Tuesday (08/02).

According to the Minister, law is the reflection of the community. Therefore, legal products to be enacted must be understood and approved by the community. This is the essence of democracy in the context of law enforcement, he stated.

Mahfud mentioned that the discussion on the Bill containing more than 700 Articles is already on the final stage where the remaining 14 issues still need to be discussed. In that regard, the Ministry will actively hold public deliberation both through the Government institutions, including the House of Representatives, and directly to the people.

The discussion, he added, will be organized by Ministry of Communications and Informatics whereas the discussion materials are prepared by Ministry of Law and Human Rights.

“We do all of these in the effort to preserve our state ideology, integrity of the state, governance, and constitutions, through a strong state ideology and constitution,” he stated. (TGH/UN)(RAS/MUR)