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I'M writing in reaction to the news article 'Indonesia makes criticism of politicians a criminal offense' published in your newspaper on March 16. I think this is alarming because it means that people will no longer be allowed to voice their dissatisfaction with the way politicians are running a country. It is an attack on freedom of speech, a move to silence critics. Maybe if this law is expanded even further, letters like this one I am writing will no longer be allowed either. How can those in power fix what is wrong if nobody will tell them that it is wrong? Politicians are not always right, and some of them are corrupt. It is the right of the people to protest against something that is deemed wrong or unjust. What if all countries passed a law like this? Nobody will ever be allowed to write columns or editorials criticising anything or expressing their honest opinions, citizens will no longer be allowed to say what they think about certain issues regarding top officials. I hope this law is revoked. I agree with critics that this legislation is a step backwards for Indonesia. Whoever came up with this law needs to rethink it because it is just something that will benefit politicians who may be up to no good. If all politicians were honest and worked for the good of the country and people, they wouldn't have to come up with a law like this.
Mie U
