Indonesia makes criticising politicians a crime

President Joko Widodo (C) refused to sign off on the controversial law which could see Indonesians jailed for criticising national politicians.

Jakarta (AFP) - Indonesians could be jailed for criticising national politicians under a new law which came into force Thursday, in what critics slammed as a major step back for the world's third-biggest democracy.

The vaguely worded bill passed the 560-member house last month but has just become official, over the objections of President Joko Widodo who refused to sign off on the controversial legislation.