March 16, 2026 | 10:06 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Law Supratman Andi Agtas claims that the draft of the Anti-Disinformation and Foreign Propaganda Bill (RUU Disinformasi) is not intended to limit press freedom. According to Supratman, the drafting process has been conducted carefully with consideration for national needs.
He highlighted that global evolution has made it increasingly difficult to control information flow in the digital realm. "So, it is not about restricting press freedom at all. But we must also remember that the digital world has developed tremendously," Supratman said at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Friday, March 13, 2026.
The Gerindra Party politician stated that the bill will target information management on social media platforms. This focus stems from a lack of specific regulations for information produced and shared through social media. "What we aim to reform is not the mainstream media, but social media. Because the control does not lie with us," Supratman said.
The Ministry of Law is currently in the academic manuscript preparation stage. Consequently, the government has not yet established specific norms or limitations regarding foreign disinformation and propaganda.
Nevertheless, Supratman defined "disinformation" in this context as the dissemination of false information, while "foreign propaganda" targets information originating from abroad. "Actually, it's not about whether it's foreign or not, but it applies to all types of information, both domestic and foreign," Supratman remarked.
"So, if it concerns news that is disseminated from abroad, providing information and eventually absorbed by society," he added.
Supratman mentioned that the Ministry is still finalizing the academic manuscript and has not yet submitted it to parliament. According to him, the government has set no target deadline for submitting the bill to the House of Representatives (DPR).
"It's still in the drafting stage because we have a need for it. What causes concern is whether it restricts the freedom of our (press) friends as a pillar of democracy. Trust me, that will not happen," Supratman assured.
The academic manuscript has been circulating since mid-January 2026. It describes the bill as urgent for providing legal certainty against foreign disinformation that could threaten national sovereignty, divide the nation, influence democratic processes, and weaken national resilience.
However, the Indonesian Legal Aid Foundation (YLBHI) argued that the bill contradicts the constitution. According to YLBHI, the government plan restricts freedom of expression mandated in Articles 28F and 28E of the 1945 Constitution.
Article 28F stipulates that everyone has the right to communicate and obtain information to develop themselves and their social environment. Citizens also have the right to seek, obtain, possess, store, process, and convey information through any channel. Meanwhile, Article 28E guarantees the right to express thoughts and attitudes.
YLBHI warns that the bill could become a new tool for criminalization. "YLBHI sees this plan as specifically aimed at targeting critical citizens, controlling information, cutting off funding and support for civil society organizations," the foundation said in a statement on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Furthermore, YLBHI believes the command from President Prabowo Subianto to prepare the bill reveals an administration that is anti-criticism. The foundation noted that officials in the President's circle have long appeared resistant to criticism from civil society coalitions.
This is reinforced by the Head of State’s frequent accusations that foreign parties are behind domestic criticism. "YLBHI sees this as an integral part of a government's character that is increasingly anti-criticism and allergic to the voices of the people that present facts, including those from civil society organizations."
Read: Prabowo: Indonesia Must Live Within Its Means
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