The Ministry of Information and Communications in Indonesia took the unusual step of trying to reassure citizens that complaining in an email is perfectly safe. There is no need to worry about what might happen to you. Of course, there is the annoying situation involving Prita Mulyasari.
Mulyasari, a 32-year-old, middle-income. mother of two children, is facing six years in prison and a nearly $100,000 fine, after she complained about her treatment at the Omni International Hospital in Tangerang, according to the Jakarta Post. The email was originally private, according to reports. The issue appears to be that the content of the email became public when it was posted in an online list that was visible by many. The hospital responded by claiming defamation under the Indonesian criminal law, reports indicated.
She had already spent three weeks in custody without charge until public outrage at her detention forced authorities to release her on Wednesday, according to The Australian. With Indonesian elections coming up shortly, her case has attracted major politicians. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyonohas called on the courts to be lenient.
However, many individuals appear nervous about what they may write in email and how it could be used against them.
"There is no reason for the public to worry, or be afraid to use telecommunication services or to communicate electronically," Ministry of Information and Communications spokesman, Gatot S. Dewa Broto, reportedly said by Antara, the Indonesian news agency. "Legal regulations on individuals and groups of people or institutions to have privacy in communicating electronically are already strict enough."
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