TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Indonesia's controversial Criminal Code bill could soon be law. Here are the new crimes

What exactly does the Criminal Code bill outlaw and how does it differ from the current Code?

Karina M. Tehusijarana (The Jakarta Post)
Premium
Jakarta
Tue, September 24, 2019

Share This Article

Change Size

Indonesia's controversial Criminal Code bill could soon be law. Here are the new crimes The part of the bill that has drawn the most attention over the past few years are the so-called "morality" articles, which, among other things, outlaw consensual sex between unmarried persons, extramarital cohabitation and public "fornication." (kompas.com/Palupi Annisa Auliani)

T

ens of thousands of university students across the country took to the streets on Monday to demand the House of Representatives cancel controversial bills which, if passed, will threaten civil liberties, among other things.

Following the recent passing of the amendment of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Law, which neutered the antigraft body, lawmakers appear determined to pass the Criminal Code bill into law before the end of the 2014-2019 legislative term, finally concluding a decades-long attempt to revise the 1946 Criminal Code, which itself was based on Dutch colonial law.

While legislators and Law and Human Rights Minister Yasonna Laoly were all smiles after finishing deliberations on the bill last week, activists and experts have been far less positive, saying that the bill will lead to overcriminalization and discrimination against minorities and other vulnerable groups.

Widespread public outcry has led President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo to call on the House to delay the passing of the bill, but the House may still push for the bill at the last plenary session of the legislative term on Tuesday.

What exactly does the bill outlaw and how does it differ from the current Criminal Code? 

'Morality' articles  

The part of the bill that has drawn the most attention over the past few years are the so-called "morality" articles, which, among other things, outlaw consensual sex between unmarried persons, extramarital cohabitation and public "fornication."

to Read Full Story

  • Unlimited access to our web and app content
  • e-Post daily digital newspaper
  • No advertisements, no interruptions
  • Privileged access to our events and programs
  • Subscription to our newsletters
or

Purchase access to this article for

We accept

TJP - Visa
TJP - Mastercard
TJP - GoPay

Redirecting you to payment page

Pay per article

Indonesia's controversial Criminal Code bill could soon be law. Here are the new crimes

Rp 29,000 / article

1
Create your free account
By proceeding, you consent to the revised Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.
Already have an account?

2
  • Palmerat Barat No. 142-143
  • Central Jakarta
  • DKI Jakarta
  • Indonesia
  • 10270
  • +6283816779933
2
Total Rp 29,000

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.