How Indonesia's New Criminal Code Will Work

Summary

Indonesia's new criminal code, which bans extramarital sex, cohabitation, abortion, and limits LGBTQ+ rights, has sparked widespread controversy and protests. The law also punishes insults against the president and restricts press freedom. While the government reassures foreign visitors that they won’t be prosecuted for private behavior unless an official complaint is made, the legislation has drawn significant criticism. This overhaul, driven by conservative Muslim influences, is seen as a step backward for personal freedoms, press independence, and human rights in Indonesia.

Takeaways

• 😀 A new criminal code in Indonesia bans extramarital sex, with offenders facing up to one year in prison.
• 😀 Unmarried couples living together could face penalties of up to six months in prison under the new law.
• 😀 The criminal code also criminalizes abortion, imposing severe penalties on those who undergo or facilitate the procedure.
• 😀 LGBTQ+ rights are further restricted under the new law, raising concerns about discrimination and human rights violations.
• 😀 The new law includes penalties for insulting the president or vice president, with up to three years in prison for offenders.
• 😀 Journalists could face up to two years in prison for publishing 'incomplete stories' under the new regulations.
• 😀 The criminal code applies to both Indonesian citizens and foreigners, with enforcement in tourist areas like Bali.
• 😀 The Indonesian government reassures foreign visitors that they will not be prosecuted for extramarital sex unless an official complaint is filed by a direct family member.
• 😀 The law is part of a broader legal overhaul to replace a colonial-era penal code from the 1800s, when Indonesia was under Dutch rule.
• 😀 The introduction of the criminal code has sparked violent protests, indicating significant opposition and concern over its impact on freedoms.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Indonesia's new criminal code?

The new criminal code in Indonesia focuses on criminalizing extramarital sex, restricting LGBTQ+ rights, penalizing abortion, and introducing harsher laws against defamation of the president and vice president.

How does the new law affect individuals engaging in sex outside of marriage?

Under the new law, individuals engaging in sex outside of marriage could face up to one year in prison.

What penalties does the law impose on unmarried couples living together?

Unmarried couples living together could face up to six months in prison under the new criminal code.

How does the criminal code affect the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in Indonesia?

The new law imposes significant restrictions on the rights of LGBTQ+ people, though specific details are not elaborated in the transcript.

What are the consequences for insulting the president or vice president under the new criminal code?

Individuals found guilty of insulting the president or vice president could face up to three years in prison.

What is the law's impact on journalists in Indonesia?

Journalists in Indonesia could face up to two years in prison for publishing what authorities deem as 'incomplete stories'.

Does the criminal code apply to foreign nationals in Indonesia?

Yes, the criminal code applies to both Indonesian citizens and foreign nationals in the country.

What assurances has the Indonesian government provided regarding foreign tourists?

The government has stated that foreign tourists need not worry about prosecution for extramarital sex unless a formal complaint is made by close family members like parents, children, or spouses.

When was the new criminal code first introduced, and what is its historical context?

The new criminal code was first introduced in 2019 as part of a broader legal overhaul intended to replace the existing colonial-era penal code from the 1800s, dating back to the time of Dutch rule.

What political and social factors are influencing the implementation of the new criminal code?

The growing influence of conservative Muslim voters in Indonesia is seen as a driving force behind the implementation of the new criminal code, signaling a shift toward more traditional values.