Indonesia to , Approve Law Banning, Sex Before Marriage.
BBC reports that Indonesia's government is
expected to pass legislation outlawing sex outside
of marriage, punishable by up to a year in prison.
According to Bambang Wuryanto, a lawmaker
directly involved with the draft, the legislation
could be passed as soon as next week.
If passed, the legislation would
apply to both Indonesian
citizens and foreigners.
BBC points out that enforcement of the law
can only occur when there are parties
who lodge complaints to authorities.
For married individuals, the party able to
lodge a complaint would reportedly only be
the perpetrator's husband or wife.
According to the law, parents of
unmarried individuals can also
report their activity to authorities.
The law would also ban cohabitation
of unmarried couples, with those convicted
facing a six-month prison sentence.
Reuters reports that business groups have spoken
out against the bill, claiming it would damage Indonesia's
image as an investment and holiday destination.
For the business sector,
the implementation of this
customary law shall create legal
uncertainty and make investors
reconsider investing in Indonesia, Shinta Widjaja Sukamdani, deputy chairperson of
Indonesia's Employers' Association (APINDO), via BBC.
In 2019, a previous draft of the legislation was poised to
be passed but was halted after nationwide protests
