JakartaPost-May 31
The government and lawmakers are trying to soften some draconian provisions in a bill aimed at revising Indonesia’s colonial-era Criminal Code (KUHP) in an apparent bid to quell public outcry, as lawmakers seek to pass it before their recess next month. The controversial articles include those on a ban on insulting a sitting president and the death penalty, which were at the heart of student demonstrations that forced a delay in the passing of the bill some three years ago. Deputy Law and Human Rights Minister Edward “Eddy” OS Hiariej told a meeting with lawmakers last week that the government had either reformulated or removed 14 problematic topics following feedback from the public. “We have made some improvements based on the results [of the discussion].” Commission III agreed to the changes proposed by the government, with deputy head Desmond Mahesa from Gerindra Party expecting the bill to be passed in a House plenary session in July. The latest changes to the bill still include the much-debated provisions on capital punishment, although now it is designated as an alternative sentencing scheme to 20-years in jail or life imprisonment. Changes were also made regarding provisions on abortion so that they are more in line with what was already regulated in the 2004 Medical Practice Law. The bill maintains that abortion is a crime, but it now allows exceptions for rape survivors and women with life-threatening medical conditions, provided that the fetus is less than 12 weeks old. Read more at: https://www.thejakartapost.com/indonesia/2022/05/30/policymakers-try-to-soften-draconian-provisions-in-criminal-code-bill.html.
