JAKARTA:  , Indonesian activists on Thursday ( Apr 3 ) decried a new regulation allowing police to monitor foreign journalists and researchers working in the country, a move they say would limit press freedom.
The new law, issued on Mar 10 but lately published online, said a policeman text is needed for immigrants doing their job “on certain spots”, though it does not specify which websites.
The National Police said the new law was needed to “maintain position autonomy over Indonesian province and to provide protection for foreigners in Indonesian place”.
But the executive director of an advocacy group Legal Aid Institute for the Press said on Thursday it may make it more difficult for people doing media or research job in Indonesia.
” There is a possible for all actions for international journalists or experts to be considered unlawful when they do not have the notice”, Mustafa Layong told AFP.
He added that” there is no power from the authorities to grant allows for journalism or study actions”.
Andreas Harsono of Human Rights Watch also slammed the legislation, saying it would further restrict media freedom and limit details on sensitive topics about Indonesia.
” In Indonesia, I think there will be many items that will be hidden, possibly palm oil, persecution of intimate, identity, religious minority”, Andreas told AFP.
” It may make Indonesia became more underrepresented”.
National Police official Sandi Nugroho reiterated that the new rules was” to offer services and protections to international people”, including those working in” conflict-prone places”.
He added that the officers email was” no required”.