REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA --  Golkar Party politician, Bambang Soesatyo, said hate speech circular issued by Chief of Police No.SE/6/X/2015 has the potential to cause fear in the society. It was considered as a restriction of freedom of speech.

He stated, the hate speech circular could be interpreted as another form of security approach, to silence people's freedom of expression. In fact, there was also an assumption that the hate speech circular was another form of a law on prohibition of insulting the president.

"If we criticize the president, we will directly be punished," he said, in a written statement, Friday (6/11).

The socialization of the hate speech circular, he added, should be intensified in order to make all element of society understand. Chief of Police and all the staff of police should give assurance to the public that the hate speech circular was not targeting anyone who criticizes the government.

"It is important for the police to make a clear statement in distinguishing the meaning of criticism with libel, defamation, unpleasant acts, provocation, incitement, and dissemination of false news. So that people will not be confused with this policy," he explained.

The public also needed to be sure that the hate speech circular would not be misused as a political tool.

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