Thousands in Indonesia protest against bill that would ban extramarital sex

The government has delayed a vote on the controversial bill, which would outlaw gay and sex outside marriage

Critics say the bill violates free speech and is discriminatory, but supporters say it reflects the ‘character and personality of the Indonesian people’

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University students protest outside the Indonesian Parliament in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: Reuters

Published: 10:44pm, 23 Sep 2019Updated: 2:37am, 24 Sep 2019

Thousands of students protested at rallies across Indonesia on Monday against a new criminal code that would outlaw sex outside marriage and gay sex, as lawmakers met the president to discuss how to proceed with a bill that has divided Indonesians.

President Joko Widodo on Friday ordered a delay in a planned vote on the controversial bill – originally slated for Tuesday – and said 14 articles needed further review before it was deliberated by a new parliament, whose term begins next month.

Students rallied on Monday in the capital Jakarta – where some climbed the gates of the parliament to hang banners – and cities including Yogyakarta, in central Java, and Makassar, on Sulawesi island, to oppose the bill.

Meanwhile, lawmakers whose term will end this month met in the presidential palace for talks with the president.

University students protest in Jakarta. Photo: Reuters

“The bill was delayed so that we could get input, better substance that is in accordance to what the people want,” Widodo told reporters after the meeting, adding the code could be included in the next term of parliament.

Mulfachri Harahap, an MP, said he still hoped a new version could be put to the vote before the end of the month, adding: “Even though there are articles considered problematic, they are not many and they’re debatable.”

Thousands in Indonesia protest against bill that would ban extramarital sex

The government has delayed a vote on the controversial bill, which would outlaw gay and sex outside marriage Critics say the bill violates free speech and is discriminatory, but supporters say it reflects the ‘character and personality of the Indonesian people’

The government has delayed a vote on the controversial bill, which would outlaw gay and sex outside marriage

Critics say the bill violates free speech and is discriminatory, but supporters say it reflects the ‘character and personality of the Indonesian people’