The House of Representatives has finally passed the controversial mass organization bill into law through a vote despite massive debates over the bill’s impact on democracy.
Kompas.com reported that 311 lawmakers supported the bill while 50 opposed it. The supporters comprised of 107 Democratic Party lawmakers, 75 from the Golkar Party, 62 from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), 35 from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), 22 from the United Development Party (PPP) and 10 from the National Awakening Party (PKB).
Meanwhile, those who were opposed numbered 24 from the National Mandate Party (PAN), 18 from the Great Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) and six from the People’s Conscience (Hanura) Party.
The bill was approved by the House despite mass protests from activists and mass organizations in which they considered the bill would limit the power of people to assemble. The activists believed that the new law would become a means to suppress organizations critical of the government.(hrl/dic)
