TEMPO.CO, Jakarta -The House of Representatives (DPR) and the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) have agreed on the material contained in the draft criminal code (RKUHP) on same-sex behaviors of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities.
“The RKUHP special committee has received MUI’s report and their input for the revised KUHP,” said DPR Speaker Bambang Soetsatyo on Tuesday, February 6.
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The Indonesian Government and the DPR are currently finalizing the discussion on the RKUHP. One of the crucial issues mentioned in the discussion is the prohibition towards same-sex behaviors in the LGBT community.
Article 495 of the RKUHP mentions that same-sex acts among the LGBT community are considered as a criminal act and the government is obliged to regulate it. “The RKUHP must be based on religious spirits,” said Bambang.
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However, Bambang said that the RKUHP is not finished yet and is still being finalized through numerous studies. He expects that MUI’s input can be passed in the next trial session.
MUI disagree with Article 495 (2) which states that this rule on LGBT communities only applies to people under 18 years old. MUI argues that it should apply to all ages. MUI Chairman Ma’aruf Amin is in support of the RKUHP that plans to convict people involved in LGBT-related activities.
M Taufiq
