MONITORING DESK
JAKARTA: Indonesian parliament is likely to approve a new set of criminal laws to penalize sex outside marriage with imprisonment of up to one year.
The new law will also ban insulting the country’s President, state institutions of Indonesia and state ideology. Punishment for the crime can only take effect if the parties lodge complaints to the authorities.
Minister Defends Criminal Law
Deputy minister for justice Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej told Reuters that the new Marriage law is expected to be approved by December 15. He said that they are proud to have a criminal law that’s in line with Indonesian norms and values. Law-maker Bambang Wuryanto said that the new criminal code could be approved as early as next week. The new code will apply to citizens of Indonesia and foreigners, however, some business groups expressed concern over the new law and said that it may damage Indonesia’s image as an investment and holiday destination.
Local media reports said that several Islamic groups extend their support for the new code of criminal law. It may be recalled that a previously proposed code was set to be approved in 2019 but sparked countrywide protests.
Business, Rights Group Express Concern Over New Marriage Law
Business groups said that the draft code sends a bad message about Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Indonesian Employers’ Association deputy chair Shinta Widjaja Sukamdani said that the implementation of the new law shall create some legal problems and push investors to re-consider investment in Indonesia. She said that the businesses engaged in hospitality and tourism will face some legal issues.
Andreas Harsono of Human Rights Watch added that changes in the law would be a huge setback to Indonesian democracy. However, the deputy minister for justice completely rejected the criticism, adding the new code would not be a threat to democratic freedoms in the country.
