Jakarta: There are a number of Islamic countries which bar pre-marital sex. A new name will be added to that list soon.
Indonesian Parliament is expected to pass the Draft Criminal Code (RKUHP) – which penalises pre-marital sex — according to local media reports. Offenders will be handed a punishment of up to one year in jail.
“Anyone who has intercourse with someone who is not their husband or wife shall be punished for adultery with a maximum imprisonment of 1 (one) year or a maximum fine of category II,” article 413, paragraph 1 states.
Violation will come into force if there is a complaint from the husband or wife of the perpetrator of adultery or the parents of their children who are not bound by marriage. The complaint can be withdrawn as long as the examination at the trial court has not begun.
A draft of the criminal code could not be passed three years ago after it triggered nationwide protests. Thousands of people hit the streets in protest against the impending law which, according they felt would have curtailed their freedom of speech.
“We’re proud to have a criminal code that’s in line with Indonesian values,” Indonesia’s deputy Justice minister Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej was quoted as saying by Reuters.
Once the new criminal code is passed the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, it would be applicable to Indonesian citizens as well as foreigners.
Business groups have raised concerns that the new law may adversely affect Indonesia’s image as a tourist and investment destination.
