University of Indonesia Student Executive Council (BEM UI) Chairperson Melki Sedek Huang says he was shocked by the statement by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in which he said that freedom of expression can be practiced without threat or limitations.
Huang even asserted that the statement is completely wrong because in reality there have been many incidents where people have been intimidated or ended up in prison. Huang, who has criticised the government on several occasions in the past, has experienced this intimidation first hand.
"Jokowi is completely wrong. If freedom of opinion is measured by how free we are to criticise him, this is completely wrong. What should be measured is how free we are after stating an opinion, criticising him", he said on Friday December 15.
Widodo should open his eyes because they public already knows and can measure the guarantees of freedom of expression during his reign.
"What's the news on [human rights defenders and defamation defendants] Fatia [Maulidiyanti] and Haris [Azhar]? What part of it is fine if in fact you're reported [to the police] or you mother is contacted and threatened by unknown individuals. What's still free, how is it that those who criticise the president are in fact reported. Meaning the president isn't building infrastructure or an environment that is safe to criticise and express an opinion", he said accusingly. (Sru/Z-7)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Pernyataan Jokowi soal Kebebasan Berpendapat Salah Besar".]