Jakarta – Indonesian has scrapped its draconian subversion law but introduced similar articles against sabotage and the spread of Marxism and Leninism to the criminal code, reports said Thursday.

The House of Representatves axed the anti-subversion law on Wednesday and brought six new articles into the criminal code, the Jakarta Post daily said.

The law covering subversion "was a pliable and multi-interpretable law ... a panicky regulation which was prone to human rights violations," Justice Minister Muladi said.

The new articles include govern crimes endangering the state ideology, ban the spread of Marxism/Leninism, and act against sabotage of either state or military installations or the distribution of basic essentials.

Muladi said they accommodated elements of the 36-year-old subversion law which were still relevant and not previously covered by the subversion law.

The subversion law, which carried a maximum penalty of death, was widely used under the government of former president Suharto to clamp down on dissent and budding unrest.

Human rights and legal activists have repeatedly called for the law to be repealed. The expanded criminal code now provides up to 20 years imprisonment for violations of the six new articles.

Under the subversion law, suspects could be detained for a year while the criminal code restricts the period for questioning to 60 days.

Since Suharto stepped down last May, the government has begun comprehesive reforms of the country's economy, judiciary and political landscape.