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Indonesia's Controversial New Code Criminalizes Premarital Sex

12/31/2025

24 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Indonesia's new criminal code took effect January 2 and criminalizes premarital sex and insulting state officials, with penalties up to three years.
The law requires family member complaints for premarital sex prosecutions.
Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas warned the law could be abused and noted the code replaces colonial-era laws.
Activists call it a "new colonial set of laws" and fear it could endanger government critics.

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Story summary

Indonesia's new criminal code took effect January 2 and criminalizes premarital sex and insulting state officials, with penalties up to three years.
The law requires family member complaints for premarital sex prosecutions.
Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas warned the law could be abused and noted the code replaces colonial-era laws.
Activists call it a "new colonial set of laws" and fear it could endanger government critics.