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Feminists vs ‘Islamic wives’ on casual sex at MK
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Constitutional Court justices stand on a podium in front of the court building in Jakarta during a ceremony to mark its 13th anniversary on Aug. 15. (mahkamahkonstitusi.go.od/Ifa)
T
he Indonesian Women’s Coalition (KPI) faced off with the Association of Islamic Wives at a Constitutional Court hearing (MK) Thursday, presenting opposing arguments about whether criminalizing extramarital sex and gay sex would benefit the nation.
The KPI said revising the Criminal Code (KUHP) to criminalize adultery and gay sex would destroy many people’s lives. Dian Kartika Sari 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.
“Besides, in everyday life I believe many married couples commit adultery [which violates the current KUHP], but it is rare to see them to report it [to the police] because they consider their financial situation and children,” Dian said
The motion was filed by the Family Love Alliance (AILA), a group that says it wants to promote Islamic values through the legal system. They are seeking to revise three articles in the KUHP to make any form of sex outside of heterosexual wedlock a crime.
Dian also argued that such a revision would open the doors to third party interference into people’s private lives.
In the opposing camp, the Association of Islamic Wives argued that criminalizing sex outside of marriage was important to maintain quality families.
“Casual sex, whether committed by adults or teenagers, has become a form of sexual violence and terror, unsettling the resilience of quality families,” Titin Suprihatin, the association’s chairwoman said.
She said the articles should be changed in consideration of the religious beliefs acknowledged by the country and moral values embraced by its citizens. (wnd/evi)
