Controversial Indonesian law: extramarital relationship will be a crime

The Indonesian Parliament approved a new amendment to the law that imposes a prison sentence of up to one year for having sex outside of marriage.

The reform also provides for the prohibition of expressions against the head of state, official institutions and state ideology. With the new law, which is expected to take effect before the new year, it is prohibited for couples to stay in the same house before marriage.

The law will also apply to foreigners and tourists living in the country famous for its tourism. Some people warn that this practice will negatively affect the country’s tourist income.

The bill, which first hit the agenda in 2019, sparked protests in the country at the time. In Indonesia, with a population of 230 million, nearly 90 percent of the population is Muslim.