Government Position
Coordinating Minister Yusril Ihza Mahendra responded on July 9, 2026 to a proposal by the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to discuss drafting a criminal code bill targeting LGBTQ+ people.
Yusril stated that the government respects the rights of every individual or organization to pursue their aspirations in a democratic country, and that as a religious organization had taken the initiative to draft the bill, the government respects the initiative.
However, he emphasized that regarding the proposal for a criminal code bill on LGBT, the government as of now has no plans to draft such a bill. The former State Secretary declined to comment on the substance of the proposed legislation.
Legal Context
Mahendra's statement came after Indonesia's new Penal Code took effect on January 2, 2026, with Article 411 criminalizing any sexual activity outside marriage under a one-year imprisonment penalty, with prosecution able to be initiated only after a complaint filed by the accused's parents, children, or spouse.
While the new code does not explicitly criminalize same-sex conduct, international NGOs like Human Rights Watch have worried about the far-reaching implications of the new criminal code for LGBTQ+ people, even if same-sex sexual activity itself isn't explicitly criminalized. The practical effect is that same-sex couples lack legal recourse to marry.
Religious Council Position
Meanwhile, the MUI and its supporters have advocated for more explicit anti-LGBTQ+ legislation. According to reports, MUI representatives contend that the bill will not criminalize sexual orientation that is still internally held and not publicly displayed, but the focus will be on the perpetrators and activities of campaigning for the LGBT community.
Asian Editorial Department: Lu Junxiu