BY: News Peddlers
This month, Indonesia's parliament is expected to pass a new criminal law that will punish sex outside of marriage with up to a year in prison.
According to Bambang Wuryanto, a politician involved in the draught, the code could be passed as soon as next week.
If passed, the law would apply to both Indonesian citizens and foreigners.
Adultery punishment can only be implemented if parties file complaints with the authorities.
Those who are married have the right to file a complaint through the perpetrator's husband or wife.
The law also allows unmarried people's parents to report their children for having sex.
Cohabitation before marriage will also be prohibited, with those found guilty facing a six-month prison sentence.
According to Reuters, business groups are concerned about the impact the rules will have on Indonesia's image as a tourist and investment destination.
"For the business sector, the implementation of this customary law will create legal uncertainty and make investors reconsider investing in Indonesia," said Shinta Widjaja Sukamdani, deputy chairperson of Indonesia's Employers' Association (APINDO).
The previous draught of the code was scheduled to be passed in 2019, but it sparked nationwide protests, with tens of thousands taking part.
Many people, including students, took to the streets across Indonesia, with the main clashes taking place in Jakarta.
Protesters who threw stones at police were met with tear gas and water cannons.
In 2019, Jakarta police clashed with protesters angry about a new corruption law and proposed penal code.
Such stringent sex and relationship laws have precedent in parts of majority-Muslim Indonesia.
Aceh has strict Islamic law and has punished people for gambling, drinking alcohol, and meeting people of the opposite sex.
In one instance in 2021, neighbours accused two men of having sex. In a public caning, they each received 77 lashes from a police officer.
On the same day, a woman and a man received 20 lashes each for being caught in close proximity to each other, and two men received 40 lashes each for being drunk.