We want freedom!: Members of the Muhammadiyah Students Association rallied against the mass organization bill in front of the House of Representatives building on Friday. (JP/Jerry Adiguna)The House of Representatives and the government will continue deliberating the contentious mass organization bill despite protests from civil society groups.



The House’s plenary session on Friday decided to postpone the approval of the bill, bowing to demands from several Islamic groups, including Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama, which say the bill, if enacted, would restrict their activities.



“We, leaders of the House, have asked lawmakers from the special committee discussing the bill to arrange further discussions with the country’s mass organizations, especially the big ones such as Nahdatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, for their input,” House of Representatives speaker Marzuki A...