Indonesia makes criticising politicians a crime despite president's objections


Indonesia's Parliament has made criticising politicians a criminal offence despite the objections of President Joko Widodo, who does not have veto powers over laws. – EPA pic, March 15, 2018.

INDONESIANS could be jailed for criticising national politicians under a new law which came into force today, in what critics slammed as a major step back for the world’s third-biggest democracy.

The vaguely worded bill passed the 560-member house last month but has just become official, over the objections of President Joko Widodo who refused to sign off on the controversial legislation.


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