Posted on 09/29/2003 7:04:37 PM PDT by blam
Indonesia set to outlaw sex before marriage
Reuters
Tuesday September 30, 2003
The Guardian (UK)
Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation, is drafting regulations that could outlaw sex before marriage, living together outside wedlock, and homosexuality, an official said yesterday. Abdul Gani Abdullah, the director general of legislation, said the draft revisions would also ban witchcraft.
Muslim leaders, including experts in Islamic sharia law, had been consulted, he added. But certain criteria would need to be met before a crime was committed under the revisions, he said.
"If society chooses not to do anything and has no objection to any cohabitation for example, then it is not a crime," Mr Abdullah said by telephone, adding that people would need to lodge complaints before authorities reacted.
Details of proposed punishments were not immediately available. When completed, the draft will be submitted to parliament for debate.
Indonesians have long followed a moderate version of Islam, although an emphasis on Muslim practices and identity with Islamic traditions has gathered pace in recent years.
Beliefs in witchcraft and mysticism are widespread, especially on the main island of Java. Many Indonesians are generally relaxed about homosexuality.
Mr Abdullah said the plans were part of efforts to revise sections of the criminal code still largely based on laws of the former colonial ruler, the Netherlands.
If they outlaw sex before marriage, only outlaws will be sexy.
After marriage, without a sexy partner, husbands will cover up their wives head to foot.
Sounds like the old Taliban Afghanistan is taking root.
Just a bit outside, don't you think??
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