Fri Dec 9, 2022 – 12:51 pm EST
JAKARTA (LifeSiteNews) — Indonesia has passed a new criminal code that bans sex outside of marriage and the cohabitation of unmarried couples.
On Tuesday the nation’s parliament approved the overhauled code, which applies to both Indonesians and foreigners. Sex outside of marriage is punishable by up to one year in jail, but complaints can only be brought to authorities by a spouse, parent, or child.
According to Channel News Asia, the new code was supported by members of all political parties and will not take full effect for another three years “to allow for implementing regulations to be drafted.” Observers say its passage reflects the increasing popularity of conservative Islamic sentiment within the country’s political landscape.
“The aim is to protect the institution of marriage and Indonesian values, while at the same time being able to protect the privacy of the community and also negate the rights of the public or other third parties to report this matter or ‘playing judge’ on behalf of morality,” Albert Aries, spokesman for the justice ministry, told Channel News Asia.
Home to over 275 million people, Indonesia is the fourth most populous
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