Indonesia to outlaw sex outside marriage

Robert Besser
08 Dec 2022, 22:10 GMT+10

Indonesia parliament approved sweeping changes to its criminal code this week, including penalizing sex outside of marriage.
The offense could carry a sentence of up to one year in jail, and unmarried couples will be prohibited from living together
While most Indonesian Muslims practice a moderate version of Islam, there has been a rise in religious conservatism in recent years

JAKARTA, Indonesia: In a legal overhaul that critics say could curb freedoms and police morality in the world's third-largest democracy, Indonesia's parliament has approved sweeping changes to its criminal code this week, including penalizing sex outside of marriage.

The offense could carry a sentence of up to one year in jail, and unmarried couples will be prohibited from living together.

"The state cannot manage morality. The government's duty is not as an umpire between conservative and liberal Indonesia," said Bivitri Susanti, a law expert from the Indonesia Jentera School of Law, as quoted by Reuters.

Most of Indonesia's population is Muslim, but it is also home to Hindus, Christians and people practicing other religions.

While most Indonesian Muslims practice a moderate version of Islam, there has been a rise in religious conservatism in recent years.

Parliament originally intended to ratify a new criminal code in September 2019, but demonstrations over perceived threats to civil liberties halted its passage, forcing legislators to water down some of the articles deemed most contentious.

The new code will come into force in three years after being ratified.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Venezuela Star.

More Information

25 ℃

Fair in Caracas

Business

Section

EV sales in US up 9%, still below many countries

DETROIT, Michigan: US electric vehicle (EV) sales are expected to reach a record of 9% of all passenger vehicles this ...

U.S. stocks weaken as traders return after Thanksgiving

NEW YORK, New York - U.S. stocks closed marginally lower as traders returned to their desks Monday following the Thanksgiving ...

Warren Buffett gives away Berkshire stocks worth $866 million

OMAHA, Nebraska: On November 21, Warren Buffett announced a donation of Berkshire Hathaway stocks worth some US$866 million to four ...

Hawaii looks to streamline travel process for Japanese visitors

HONOLULU, Hawaii: The islands' leaders are working on streamlining the travel process for Japanese tourists, making it more convenient for ...

Thanksgiving weekend seeing busy roads and crowded airports

WASHINGTON D.C.: After the COVID-19 pandemic almost ended the tradition of visiting friends and family over the long holiday weekend, ...

GM's Cruise to re-launch driverless robotaxis

SAN FRANCISCO, California: Just weeks after California banned its self-driving vehicles from public roads after an accident last month, Cruise, ...

International

Section