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Mahfud MD: Revoking ITE law means committing suicide

Source
Tempo - June 11, 2021

M Rosseno Aji, Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud MD said the government would not revoke the Law on Electronic Information and Transaction or ITE Law. He said revoking the law was the same as committing suicide.

"[Based on] the study results, the ITE Law will not be lifted. It is suicidal if we lift the law," said Mahfud at his office, Jakarta, Friday, June 11.

According to him, the conclusion is drawn after discussions involving 50 people, including academicians, legal practitioners, non-governmental organizations, ITE victims, politicians, and journalists.

The government concluded the law was vital and must exist, which is evident from its issuance in 2008 or 13 years ago, Mahfud underlined.

"It has been said to be important in 2008. This threatens the security, sovereignty, and integrity of the nation if the digital, electronic activities that were a bit wild at that time were left as they were," he recalled.

Problems arising from the ITE Law are on its implementation, the former Constitutional Court (MK) chief justice argued, especially a number of articles that are considered vague. "The vague articles then spark what is called criminalization," Mahfud said.

Therefore, Mahfud MD said the government planned to release two products to solve the problems: a joint decree by the Communication and Information Technology Minister, the Attorney General, and the National Police Chief; and a limited revision regarding its substances.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1471499/mahfud-md-revoking-ite-law-means-committing-suicid

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