Jakarta – Asrul Sani, member of the working committee of the draft criminal code (RUU KUHP) asserted that the Article overseeing adultery and the criminalization of LGBT groups is not aimed at merely condemning people with LGBT status.
"I assert that the sentencing is not just because of the LGBT status a person is bearing. It is rather to the deviant actions [they conduct]," said Asrul today on Tuesday, January 23.
Asrul explained that the devious behaviors are not only linked to the LGBT community, but it also applies to heterosexual people. "We are only broadening this law so that it does not just apply to men and women, but also for same-sex couples," said Asrul.
According to the United Development Party politician, Article 285 in the Criminal Code (KUHP) oversees the punishments towards adultery in general. The draft criminal code (RUU KUHP) broadens its subject to include same-sex couples.
Asrul claims that every faction has agreed to broaden the Article in the RUU KUHP, even though it has yet to enter its formulation stage. "Eight factions have agreed. PAN and Hanura were absent, we'll ask them later [why they were absent]," he said.
– Friski Riana