Entry #20545: Homosexual activity in Indonesia

Current Version

RegionIndonesia
IssueHomosexual activity
StatusVaries by Region
Start DateJan 2, 2026
End Date(none)
DescriptionAs of January 2nd, 2026, the new Indonesian Penal Code came into force. Article 411 criminalises any sexual activity outside marriage under a 1 year imprisonment penalty. Prosecution may only be initiated after a complaint filed by the accused's parents, children, or spouse. The original translations only make it a crime for these types of complaint-based offense laws, and only specify heterosexual couples as being eligible for prosecution according to Articles 411 & 412 of the new Indonesian criminal code.

The following are affected under Article 411 & Article 412:
Paragraph (1)
“not their husband or wife" means:
a. a man who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman who is not his wife;
b. a woman who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband;
c. a man who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman, even though it is known
that the woman is in a marriage bond;
d. a woman who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man, even though it is known
that the man is in a marriage bond; or
e. a man and a woman who are not bound by marriage have sexual intercourse. The explanation for Article 412 further stated that it is only applicable to heterosexual couples whose closest family members have consented to report them to the legal authorities.

However, several International NGOs like Human Rights Watch have worried about the far-reaching implications of the new criminal code to LGBTQ people, even if same-sex sexual activity itself isn't explicitly criminalized in the new criminal code.

Some regions may apply specific penalties.
Sourceshttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63869078

https://thenightly.com.au/world/smartraveller-australian-tourists-warned-they-could-be-jailed-for-sex-outside-marriage-in-indonesia-c-21188322

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesias-new-criminal-code-requires-public-oversight-minister-says-2025-12-31/

https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/12/08/indonesia-new-criminal-code-disastrous-rights

https://the-world-is-watching.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Indonesia-Penal-Code.pdf


Revision History (4)

edited by LGBTsoutheastasian. updated and corrected grammar

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Old Value New Value (Current)
DescriptionAs of January 2nd, 2026, the new Indonesian Penal Code came into force. Article 411 criminalises any sexual activity outside marriage under a 1 year imprisonment penalty. Prosecution may only be initiated after a complaint filed by the accused's parents, children, or spouse. The original translations only make it a crime for these types of complaint-based offense laws, and only specify heterosexual couples as being eligible for prosecution according to Articles 411 & 412 of the new Indonesian criminal code.

The following are affected under Article 411 & Article 412:
Paragraph (1)
“not their husband or wife" means:
a. a man who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman who is not his wife;
b. a woman who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband;
c. a man who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman, even though it is known
that the woman is in a marriage bond;
d. a woman who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man, even though it is known
that the man is in a marriage bond; or
e. a man and a woman who are not bound by marriage have sexual intercourse. The explanation for Article 412 further stated that it is only applicable to heterosexual couples whose closest family members have consented to report them to the legal authorities.

However, several International NGOs like Human Rights Watch have worried about the far-reaching implications of the new criminal code to LGBTQ people, even if same-sex sexual activity isn't explicitly criminalized in the new criminal code.

Some regions may apply specific penalties.
As of January 2nd, 2026, the new Indonesian Penal Code came into force. Article 411 criminalises any sexual activity outside marriage under a 1 year imprisonment penalty. Prosecution may only be initiated after a complaint filed by the accused's parents, children, or spouse. The original translations only make it a crime for these types of complaint-based offense laws, and only specify heterosexual couples as being eligible for prosecution according to Articles 411 & 412 of the new Indonesian criminal code.

The following are affected under Article 411 & Article 412:
Paragraph (1)
“not their husband or wife" means:
a. a man who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman who is not his wife;
b. a woman who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband;
c. a man who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman, even though it is known
that the woman is in a marriage bond;
d. a woman who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man, even though it is known
that the man is in a marriage bond; or
e. a man and a woman who are not bound by marriage have sexual intercourse. The explanation for Article 412 further stated that it is only applicable to heterosexual couples whose closest family members have consented to report them to the legal authorities.

However, several International NGOs like Human Rights Watch have worried about the far-reaching implications of the new criminal code to LGBTQ people, even if same-sex sexual activity itself isn't explicitly criminalized in the new criminal code.

Some regions may apply specific penalties.
Show Difference
As of January 2nd, 2026, the new Indonesian Penal Code came into force. Article 411 criminalises any sexual activity outside marriage under a 1 year imprisonment penalty. Prosecution may only be initiated after a complaint filed by the accused's parents, children, or spouse. The original translations only make it a crime for these types of complaint-based offense laws, and only specify heterosexual couples as being eligible for prosecution according to Articles 411 & 412 of the new Indonesian criminal code. The following are affected under Article 411 & Article 412: Paragraph (1) “not their husband or wife" means: a. a man who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman who is not his wife; b. a woman who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband; c. a man who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman, even though it is known that the woman is in a marriage bond; d. a woman who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man, even though it is known that the man is in a marriage bond; or e. a man and a woman who are not bound by marriage have sexual intercourse. The explanation for Article 412 further stated that it is only applicable to heterosexual couples whose closest family members have consented to report them to the legal authorities. However, several International NGOs like Human Rights Watch have worried about the far-reaching implications of the new criminal code to LGBTQ people, even if same-sex sexual activity isn't explicitly criminalized in the new criminal code. Some regions may apply specific penalties. itself isn't explicitly criminalized in the new criminal code. Some regions may apply specific penalties.

edited by LGBTsoutheastasian. updated on the translations of the law and concerns of far-reaching implications to LGBTQ minorities

Helpful?
0
Old Value New Value
DescriptionAs of January 2nd, 2026, the new Indonesian Penal Code came into force. Article 411 criminalises any sexual activity outside marriage under a 1 year imprisonment penalty. Prosecution may only be initiated after a complaint filed by the accused's parents, children, or spouse. The original translations only make it a crime for this type of complaint-based offense laws.

The following are affected under Article 411 & Article 412:
Paragraph (1)
“not their husband or wife" means:
a. a man who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman who is not his wife;
b. a woman who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband;
c. a man who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman, even though it is known
that the woman is in a marriage bond;
d. a woman who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man, even though it is known
that the man is in a marriage bond; or
e. a man and a woman who are not bound by marriage have sexual intercourse. The explanation for Article 412 further stated that it is only applicable to heterosexual couples whose closest family members have consented to report them to the legal authorities.

However, several International NGOs like Human Rights Watch have worried about the far-reaching implications of the new criminal code to LGBTQ people, even if same-sex sexual activity isn't explicitly criminalized in the new criminal code.

Some regions may apply specific penalties.
As of January 2nd, 2026, the new Indonesian Penal Code came into force. Article 411 criminalises any sexual activity outside marriage under a 1 year imprisonment penalty. Prosecution may only be initiated after a complaint filed by the accused's parents, children, or spouse. The original translations only make it a crime for these types of complaint-based offense laws, and only specify heterosexual couples as being eligible for prosecution according to Articles 411 & 412 of the new Indonesian criminal code.

The following are affected under Article 411 & Article 412:
Paragraph (1)
“not their husband or wife" means:
a. a man who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman who is not his wife;
b. a woman who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband;
c. a man who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman, even though it is known
that the woman is in a marriage bond;
d. a woman who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man, even though it is known
that the man is in a marriage bond; or
e. a man and a woman who are not bound by marriage have sexual intercourse. The explanation for Article 412 further stated that it is only applicable to heterosexual couples whose closest family members have consented to report them to the legal authorities.

However, several International NGOs like Human Rights Watch have worried about the far-reaching implications of the new criminal code to LGBTQ people, even if same-sex sexual activity isn't explicitly criminalized in the new criminal code.

Some regions may apply specific penalties.
Show Difference
As of January 2nd, 2026, the new Indonesian Penal Code came into force. Article 411 criminalises any sexual activity outside marriage under a 1 year imprisonment penalty. Prosecution may only be initiated after a complaint filed by the accused's parents, children, or spouse. The original translations only make it a crime for this type of complaint-based offense laws. The following are affected under Article 411 & Article 412: Paragraph (1) “not their husband or wife" means: a. a man who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman who is not his wife; b. a woman who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband; c. a man who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman, even though it is known that the woman is in a marriage bond; d. a woman who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man, even though it is known that the man is in a marriage bond; or e. a man and a woman who are not bound by marriage have sexual intercourse. The explanation for Article 412 further stated that it is only applicable to heterosexual couples whose closest family members have consented to report them to the legal authorities. However, several International NGOs like Human Rights Watch have worried about the far-reaching implications of the new criminal code to LGBTQ people, even if same-sex sexual activity isn't explicitly criminalized in the new criminal code. Some regions may apply specific penalties. these types of complaint-based offense laws, and only specify heterosexual couples as being eligible for prosecution according to Articles 411 & 412 of the new Indonesian criminal code. The following are affected under Article 411 & Article 412: Paragraph (1) “not their husband or wife" means: a. a man who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman who is not his wife; b. a woman who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband; c. a man who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman, even though it is known that the woman is in a marriage bond; d. a woman who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man, even though it is known that the man is in a marriage bond; or e. a man and a woman who are not bound by marriage have sexual intercourse. The explanation for Article 412 further stated that it is only applicable to heterosexual couples whose closest family members have consented to report them to the legal authorities. However, several International NGOs like Human Rights Watch have worried about the far-reaching implications of the new criminal code to LGBTQ people, even if same-sex sexual activity isn't explicitly criminalized in the new criminal code. Some regions may apply specific penalties.
Sourceshttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63869078

https://thenightly.com.au/world/smartraveller-australian-tourists-warned-they-could-be-jailed-for-sex-outside-marriage-in-indonesia-c-21188322

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesias-new-criminal-code-requires-public-oversight-minister-says-2025-12-31/

https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/12/08/indonesia-new-criminal-code-disastrous-rights
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63869078

https://thenightly.com.au/world/smartraveller-australian-tourists-warned-they-could-be-jailed-for-sex-outside-marriage-in-indonesia-c-21188322

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesias-new-criminal-code-requires-public-oversight-minister-says-2025-12-31/

https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/12/08/indonesia-new-criminal-code-disastrous-rights

https://the-world-is-watching.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Indonesia-Penal-Code.pdf
Show Difference
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63869078 https://thenightly.com.au/world/smartraveller-australian-tourists-warned-they-could-be-jailed-for-sex-outside-marriage-in-indonesia-c-21188322 https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesias-new-criminal-code-requires-public-oversight-minister-says-2025-12-31/ https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/12/08/indonesia-new-criminal-code-disastrous-rights https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63869078 https://thenightly.com.au/world/smartraveller-australian-tourists-warned-they-could-be-jailed-for-sex-outside-marriage-in-indonesia-c-21188322 https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesias-new-criminal-code-requires-public-oversight-minister-says-2025-12-31/ https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/12/08/indonesia-new-criminal-code-disastrous-rights https://the-world-is-watching.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/2023-Indonesia-Penal-Code.pdf

edited by LGBTsoutheastasian. updated what the law says v.s NGO concerns

Helpful?
0
Old Value (Original) New Value
DescriptionAs of January 2nd, 2026, new Indonesian Penal Code came into force. Its article 411 criminalises any sexual activity outside marriage under a 1 year imprisonment penalty. Since same sex couples aren't able to legally marry, any homosexual activity became illegal in practice. Prosecution may only be initiated after a complaint filed by the accused's parents, children or spouse.

Some regions may apply specific penalties.
As of January 2nd, 2026, the new Indonesian Penal Code came into force. Article 411 criminalises any sexual activity outside marriage under a 1 year imprisonment penalty. Prosecution may only be initiated after a complaint filed by the accused's parents, children, or spouse. The original translations only make it a crime for this type of complaint-based offense laws.

The following are affected under Article 411 & Article 412:
Paragraph (1)
“not their husband or wife" means:
a. a man who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman who is not his wife;
b. a woman who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband;
c. a man who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman, even though it is known
that the woman is in a marriage bond;
d. a woman who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man, even though it is known
that the man is in a marriage bond; or
e. a man and a woman who are not bound by marriage have sexual intercourse. The explanation for Article 412 further stated that it is only applicable to heterosexual couples whose closest family members have consented to report them to the legal authorities.

However, several International NGOs like Human Rights Watch have worried about the far-reaching implications of the new criminal code to LGBTQ people, even if same-sex sexual activity isn't explicitly criminalized in the new criminal code.

Some regions may apply specific penalties.
Show Difference
As of January 2nd, 2026, new Indonesian Penal Code came into force. Its article 411 criminalises any sexual activity outside marriage under a 1 year imprisonment penalty. Since same sex couples aren't able to legally marry, any homosexual activity became illegal in practice. Prosecution may only be initiated after a complaint filed by the accused's parents, children or spouse. Some regions may apply specific penalties. new Indonesian Penal Code came into force. Article 411 criminalises any sexual activity outside marriage under a 1 year imprisonment penalty. Prosecution may only be initiated after a complaint filed by the accused's parents, children, or spouse. The original translations only make it a crime for this type of complaint-based offense laws. The following are affected under Article 411 & Article 412: Paragraph (1) “not their husband or wife" means: a. a man who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman who is not his wife; b. a woman who is in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man who is not her husband; c. a man who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a woman, even though it is known that the woman is in a marriage bond; d. a woman who is not in a marriage bond has sexual intercourse with a man, even though it is known that the man is in a marriage bond; or e. a man and a woman who are not bound by marriage have sexual intercourse. The explanation for Article 412 further stated that it is only applicable to heterosexual couples whose closest family members have consented to report them to the legal authorities. However, several International NGOs like Human Rights Watch have worried about the far-reaching implications of the new criminal code to LGBTQ people, even if same-sex sexual activity isn't explicitly criminalized in the new criminal code. Some regions may apply specific penalties.
Sourceshttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63869078

https://thenightly.com.au/world/smartraveller-australian-tourists-warned-they-could-be-jailed-for-sex-outside-marriage-in-indonesia-c-21188322

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesias-new-criminal-code-requires-public-oversight-minister-says-2025-12-31/
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63869078

https://thenightly.com.au/world/smartraveller-australian-tourists-warned-they-could-be-jailed-for-sex-outside-marriage-in-indonesia-c-21188322

https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesias-new-criminal-code-requires-public-oversight-minister-says-2025-12-31/

https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/12/08/indonesia-new-criminal-code-disastrous-rights
Show Difference
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63869078 https://thenightly.com.au/world/smartraveller-australian-tourists-warned-they-could-be-jailed-for-sex-outside-marriage-in-indonesia-c-21188322 https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesias-new-criminal-code-requires-public-oversight-minister-says-2025-12-31/ https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63869078 https://thenightly.com.au/world/smartraveller-australian-tourists-warned-they-could-be-jailed-for-sex-outside-marriage-in-indonesia-c-21188322 https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesias-new-criminal-code-requires-public-oversight-minister-says-2025-12-31/ https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/12/08/indonesia-new-criminal-code-disastrous-rights

created by palmtoptiger81

Helpful?
0
Original entry
StatusVaries by Region
Start DateJan 2, 2026
End Date(none)
DescriptionAs of January 2nd, 2026, new Indonesian Penal Code came into force. Its article 411 criminalises any sexual activity outside marriage under a 1 year imprisonment penalty. Since same sex couples aren't able to legally marry, any homosexual activity became illegal in practice. Prosecution may only be initiated after a complaint filed by the accused's parents, children or spouse. Some regions may apply specific penalties.
Sourceshttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63869078 https://thenightly.com.au/world/smartraveller-australian-tourists-warned-they-could-be-jailed-for-sex-outside-marriage-in-indonesia-c-21188322 https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/indonesias-new-criminal-code-requires-public-oversight-minister-says-2025-12-31/