The government summoned a United Nations official after the organisation expressed concerns over threats to civil liberties posed by the newly-ratified revisions to its criminal code, its foreign ministry said.
Indonesia’s parliament last week approved an overhaul of its criminal code, prohibiting sex outside marriage and cohabitation between unmarried couples, among other controversial revisions.
Officials say it aims to uphold “Indonesian values” in the Muslim-majority nation. The UN said the revised laws could result in the erosion of press freedom, privacy and human rights in the country.
Teuku Faizasyah, a foreign ministry spokesperson, said the ministry summoned the UN resident coordinator in Jakarta over the comment, saying the organisation should have consulted with the government before airing its misgivings.
“They should have come to consult, just like other international representatives. We hope they do not hasten to express views, or when there’s not enough information,” he said on Monday.
The government has rushed to allay concerns expressed by tourism associations that the new laws, especially those on sex outside marriage or cohabitation, may scare away tourists from its shores.
Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej, Indonesia’s deputy justice minister, told reporters on Monday the code “does not disturb” the interests of foreign investors or tourists so long as authorities adhere to national guidelines.
I Wayan Koster, the governor of the island of Bali, the centre of Indonesia’s tourism, in a statement on Sunday noted the new laws, which will come into force in three years, could only be applied if there was a complaint by a parent, spouse or child. — Reuters
