T

he Indonesian Women’s Coalition (KPI) faced off with the Association of Islamic Wives at a Constitutional Court (MK) hearing on Thursday, presenting opposing arguments about whether criminalizing extramarital sex and gay sex will benefit the nation. The KPI said revising the Criminal Code (KUHP) to criminalize adultery and gay sex would destroy many people’s lives.

Dian Kartikasari of the KPI said people’s reputations and careers could be ruined just because they engaged in casual sex. Moreover, society would stigmatize them after they were put in jail because of their sexual behavior.

In the opposing camp, the Association of Islamic Wives argued that criminalizing sex outside of marriage was important to protect families.

“Casual sex, whether committed by adults or teenagers, has become a form of sexual violence and terror, undermining the resilience of decent families,” Titin Suprihatin, the association’s chairwoman said. She said the KUHP should be changed in line with the religious beliefs acknowledged by the country and moral values embraced by its citizens.