Margareth S. Aritonang, Jakarta – The bill on mass organizations was vital to protect Indonesia from foreign intervention, House of Representatives' Speaker Marzuki Alie said on Friday.

According to the Democratic Party politician, Indonesians who loved the country and wanted to see unity prevail would support the bill, the endorsement of which has been delayed twice due to massive protests from various groups.

"Do we really care about this country? Do we want to have an independent and powerful government that is free from foreign intervention?" asked Marzuki.

He added that "the bill will be an instrument to trace espionage activities by foreign countries through their partnerships with Indonesian mass groups".

"I've received around 200 text messages, including from abroad, calling for the bill to be dropped. I must firmly say: 'Don't intervene'," Marzuki emphasized.