REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Director of the Jakarta Legal Aid Institute, Alghiffari Aqso felt disappointed with the House of Representative's decision to pass Lieu of Law (Perppu) No. 2/2017 on Mass Organizations (Ormas).
He said, his institution along with several other NGOs in the Civil Society Coalition hoped the House would refuse the Perppu.
"The ratification of Perppu No. 2/2017 is a setback in the history of democracy and law in Indonesia," said Alghiffari when contacted by Republika.co.id on Tuesday.
Alghiffari explained, Perppu Ormas is a state heavy policy. He was concerned that it will lead Indonesia to a power state, instead of state of law.
"Human rights, especially freedom of expression, assembly and association, even to be religious are increasingly threatened," he said.
Also read: Govt welcomes criticism to improve Ormas law: Jokowi
Meanwhile, according to Jakarta's senator Fahira Idris, the Act No. 17 of 2013 on Mass Organizations is still sufficient to be used by the government to dissolve organizations that are considered contrary to Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.
She reiterated, the dissolution of mass organization through the due process is one of characteristics of democracy.
"In a democratic country, the judiciary becomes the key actor in maintaining the checks and balances mechanism to the ruling parties," said Fahira who is also the chairperson of Bang Japar.
On October 24, DPR through plenary meeting decided to approve Perppu No. 2/2017. Based on he attendance of 445 members of the House of Representatives, as many as 314 members agreed the Perppu passed into law. Meanwhile, about 131 members refused it.
Government support parties such as Indonesian Democratic party of Struggle (PDI-P), Hanura party, National Democratic party, and Golkar Party agree to pass the Perppu into law.
Meanwhile, United Development party (PPP), National Awakening party (PKB) and Democratic party accepted and supported it with some notes.
However, three other factions disagree, namely Gerindra party, National Mandate party (PAN), and the Prosperous Justice party (PKS).
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