Archive · 31 Dec 2025
Indonesia's New Criminal Code Needs Public Oversight, Minister Says
Indonesia is getting a new set of criminal laws that will start on January 2.
These laws were made to fit Indonesia's current culture and legal system.
Some new rules include making sex outside of marriage a crime, with up to a year in jail if someone reports it.
Insulting the president or spreading ideas against the country's beliefs can also lead to jail time.
The government says they will watch to make sure these laws are not misused.
However, some people are worried these laws might be too strict and could hurt people's freedom to speak out.
The tourism industry is also concerned but feels safer because only certain people can report violations.
Indonesia's new 345-page criminal code replaces Dutch colonial-era laws and takes effect on January 2, 2024.
The code criminalizes premarital sex with up to one year in jail if reported by a spouse, parent, or child.
Insulting the president or state agencies can result in up to three years in jail.
Spreading communism or ideologies against Indonesia's state ideology can lead to up to four years in jail.
Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas acknowledges potential abuse but emphasizes the need for public oversight to prevent misuse.
- Who
- Indonesian government, Law Minister Supratman Andi Agtas, democracy activists, tourism industry
- What
- Implementation of Indonesia's new criminal code
- When
- Effective from January 2, 2024
- Where
- Indonesia
- Why
- To update laws to reflect current legal and cultural norms, but concerns raised about potential abuse and impact on civil liberties
- Effective Date
- January 2, 2024
- Penalty for Premarital Sex
- Up to 1 year in jail (if reported by spouse, parent, or child)
- Penalty for Insulting the President/State
- Up to 3 years in jail
- Penalty for Spreading Communism
- Up to 4 years in jail
- Code Length
- 345 pages
- Passed in
- 2022
- Replaces
- Dutch colonial-era laws
- Minister's Concern
- Potential abuse of new laws