“We support heightened punishments imposed on rapists of children, including a maximum sentence of the death penalty, and additional punishments, such as chemical castration, publishing the identities of perpetrators and up to Rp 5 billion [US$367.51] in fines,” said Abdul Malik Haramain, deputy head of House of Representatives Commission VIII overseeing religion and social affairs, as quoted by kompas.com in a statement on Thursday.

The National Awakening Party (PKB) politician further said his party had supported a heightened sentence for child rapists since talks of such a plan had begun. Therefore, the PKB faction at the House would strive for the Perppu to be approved so that it could be immediately passed into law.

Malik said it was hoped the government could prepare its technical regulations so that the Perppu could immediately take into effect. 

The Perppu is the second amendment to Law No.23/2002 on children protection.

As reported earlier, the House has not yet deliberated the sexual violence bill, which is still under discussion over its inclusion in the 2016 priority national legislation program (Prolegnas).

The House’s Legislation Body (Baleg) aims to include the bill as one of extra priority bills in the 2016 Prolegnas, aside from 40 priority bills the House must complete deliberations of this year.

Baleg deputy chairman Firman Soebagyo said on Wednesday the House would adjust the Perppu through the problem inventory list (DIM) each faction must complete and it would enrich the Perppu’s materials in the sexual violence bill.

President Jokowi signed on Wednesday the Perppu, which stipulates chemical castration as punishment for rapists of children. 

The Perppu imposes heavy sanctions for child rapists, such as a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, life imprisonment and the death penalty, based on the circumstances of the case.

Chemical castration is one of three additional sanctions, including the announcement of perpetrators’ identities to the public and the installing of electronic detection devices, stipulated by the Perppu.

Religious Affairs Minister Lukman Hakim Saifuddin expressed his support on Wednesday for the signing of the Perppu. “I was among those who initialed the draft Perppu,” he said as quoted by Antara. The minister said sexual violence involving children in Indonesia was rampant.

Lukman said heightened punishments and additional sanctions were needed.

“In many events, President Jokowi has always said this is an extraordinary crime. Rape itself is a crime, let alone the rape of children. We have agreed there should be heightened punishment and additional sanctions for this crime’s perpetrators,” said Lukman.

The minister said chemical castration was not the only form of heightened sanctions

 “A judge will sentence a rapist of children to chemical castration after he or she thoroughly examines the case,” said Lukman.  (ebf)