Let the Lawyers Decide

THERE is no need for the House of Representatives (DPR) to insist on passing the Advocates Bill it is currently deliberating. It would be a complete waste of time if the Bill was passed but later caused problems. The politicians should delay discussions and ask the opinions of more legal experts, academics and most of all, from their own organization.

Last week, attorneys grouped in the Indonesian Advocates Association (Peradi) demonstrated, calling for the DPR to listen to their demands. The organization, established in 2004-a year after Law No. 18/2003 on Advocacy-was enacted, plans to take to the streets again if the DPR continues to pass the bill in the next few weeks.

September 23, 2014