Indonesian president puts off signing law protecting parliament

JAKARTA: Indonesian President Joko Widodo has delayed signing a draft law that would allow parliament to crack down on criticism aimed at its members or the legislature, suggesting it could undermine the quality of the country´s democracy. Members of parliament have proposed modifying laws governing parliament to allow an internal ethics council to take legal action against any individual or group that insults the house or its members. But Widodo, citing concern among the public, who widely see parliament as corrupt, said he had put off signing it. “The draft is on my desk but I have not signed it yet. I understand the public´s concern about this issue. We all want the quality of our democracy to improve, not deteriorate,” Widodo said on Twitter late on Wednesday.