As Joko "Jokowi" Widodo is re-elected as Indonesia's President, he appointed a new cabinet for his second term. One of the replaced Minister, is Rudiantara.
At the 'Onward Indonesia Cabinet' (Indonesian: Kabinet Indonesia Maju), Rudiantara's position as the Minister of Communication and Information has been replaced by Johnny G Plate. He assumed office in 23 Oktober 2019
One of the questions would be how Plate would control Indonesia's internet, as his precedent, Rudiantara, is already famous for blocking whatever websites that shows pornography, gambling and some others, whenever he sees one.
As is known, during Rudiantara's leadership, he had also imposed several restrictions on internet access.
But as for Plate, he would rather 'threaten' netizens instead.
Plate said that he won't block internet access, as long as the content does not make people uneasy.. He also hopes that the existing digital platforms are used in a good way.
And as for this "threat", Plate threatened that no internet users in Indonesia would use this advantage to spread hoaxes or misinformation that would disturb society and damage the nation's culture. If that ever happen, he will block them all.
"The first, of course my choice is no restrictions," said Plate. "But for that no restrictions to happen, don't make a mess, don't break the law."
Furthermore, Plate also ensures that the government always respects freedom of opinion and expression. This is because the two have been protected by the constitution.
"But the constitution also ensures that freedom of expression of our opinions while respecting the rights of other citizens," he concluded. "While maintaining the integrity of the country or the local security situation."
What this means, in case of security situation and public order, there must be a factor in consideration. In other words, internet restriction is needed, but only when necessary.
"We have to have rules that adjust to resolve abnormal conditions. We use the term 'in normal situation, enforce the normal norm. In case of abnormal events, enforce abnormal norm'. So we can finish," Plate said.
Plate said that Indonesia must overcome abnormal situations with special handling. However, he acknowledged that internet restriction is "taking a bit of freedom of opinion protected in the constitution". This is why limitation of opinion decided by the government should only be temporary and limited.
Restriction shouldn't be permanent.
"At a time when there is an unstable situation of chaos, to overcome the chaos, the rules are applied. Restrictions are very temporary and very limited," he said.
On the same occasion, Plate also gave shared his views on the fifth-generation internet network (5G). According to him, Indonesia still needs a few more years to be able to adopt the network.
This view is based on the uneven network conditions in Indonesia. Therefore, networks like 2G, 3G, and 4G must be evenly distributed before 5G starts to be implemented.
"If it's ambition, we want it. But there are stages," he said. "There are still 2G, 3G, 4G in our region (not evenly distributed). Finish everything well first."
To do that, Indonesia has what it calls the 'Palapa Ring', the 36,000 kilometers-long fiber optic cable network from the western part of Indonesia, up to the eastern tip of Papua.
However, this project has not been fully completed. There is still much that needs to be done, including cooperation with the operators.
On the other hand, Johnny also mentioned that Palapa Ring needs to have an ecosystem before venturing into 5G.
"It needs to be prepared to be released, especially its frequency spectrum. This is not a one-step infrastructure but a continuity. 4G becomes the foundation to 5G. 4G core network will be used for 5G. We are not too fast nor too late," he said.