Jakarta. The government plans to complete a revision of the controversial Electronic Information and Transactions Law in June, Communications and Information Technology Minister Rudiantara said on Wednesday (20/04).

The government's proposed revision of the so-called ITE Law has been under discussion since February by the members of House of Representatives Commission I, which oversees communication and information affairs.

"It's pretty quick. We expect to finish [the deliberation] and bring it to a plenary meeting [for final deliberation] in June," Rudiantara told reporters at the legislative complex in Jakarta, as reported by Antara news agency.

The revision seeks to reduce jail time stipulated in Article 27 of the existing law to four years from six years currently, the minister said. He said the article in its current form threatens freedom of expression on the Internet.

The article further forbids the distribution and transmission of electronic information or electronic records that promote gambling, are considered improper or defamatory, or contain any threats.

Several people have already been jailed due to this article, including high-profile singer Nazril "Ariel" Irham, housewife Prita Mulyasari and activist Benny Handoko.

Rudiantara said the government also wants to include a stipulation in the revised article that an official complaint from victims would be required before the defamation clause is enforced. Police currently have the power to arrest people based on what they have written online, with or without a complaint from a victim.

Firdaus Cahyadi, the executive director of free speech advocacy group Satu Dunia, said the revision must also ensure that people's privacy is better protected and that the blocking of websites is done in a transparent and accountable manner.

"We need to strengthen the protection of personal privacy for Internet users in the amendment. Users' privacy must be included in the law itself, rather than in regulations based on the law," Firdaus said in a statement.

He also proposed the inclusion in the amendment of clear procedures that should apply when the authorities decide to block Internet websites or applications.

"At the moment, it is not clear who has the authority to block the Internet, what procedures exist for doing so, and how to reverse it," Firdaus said.

In January, state-owned Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom), the country's largest network provider, blocked Netflix, questioning the legality of the US-based streaming service. Telkom also questioned whether the streaming service complied with Indonesian censorship laws.

However, this action occurred in the absence of due process because the current regulations do not require it.