Legal experts have denounced Administrative and Bureaucratic Reform Minister Syafruddin's recent statement prohibiting members of the state civil apparatus (ASN) from publicly criticizing the government, suggesting that the statement was uncalled for in regard to the freedom of expression of a group of people who account for more than 4 million citizens in the country. Syafruddin, an active police general, said that the law had forbidden civil servants from criticizing the government, without specifying which law he was referring to. The ASN refers to civil servants (PNS) and state employees with employment agreements (PPKK). "Yes, the law [said] so, [they should] stay in their roles, not in the criticizing role. Giving progressive input and advice is alright, but not in the public sphere, especially by making a scene and launching attacks. There are rules that should be f...