Indonesia’s ban on extramarital sex represents a turn for the worse
Will Joko Widodo approve the appalling new penal code?
The new criminal code that Indonesia’s parliament passed on December 6th is billed by the administration of President Joko Widodo as a “gift” to the nation—a revision of a century-old colonial code that is no longer fit for purpose. As a deputy minister puts it, the new code will bring the law “in line with Indonesian values”. Many Indonesians disagree. The provisions are so unpopular that demonstrations against them in 2019 led Jokowi, as the president is known, to shelve them.
This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline “Bad news for Bali”
Asia December 10th 2022
- Narendra Modi’s tough medicine
- Dead convicts and a peculiar murder in the Philippines
- Japanese Manga are being eclipsed by Korean webtoons
- Indonesia’s ban on extramarital sex represents a turn for the worse
- Which version of Anwar Ibrahim will govern Malaysia?
- China’s ban on gambling is a cash gift to the rest of Asia
From the December 10th 2022 edition
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