Jakarta – The government has recently submitted a regulation allowing tougher punishment, including chemical castration, for child sex offenders to the House of Representatives, a minister has confirmed.

Lawmakers are expected to soon deliberate the regulation in lieu of law, which was signed by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo in late May, to revise the 2002 law on child protection

"Waiting for agreement is the only thing left for now," Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani said on Thursday.

If lawmakers, many of whom have expressed support for the additional penalty, later approve the regulation, a number of ministries are expected to immediately prepare its implementation.

"There will later be a government regulation issued on mechanisms of the punishment execution, their executors and others," Puan said, as quoted by Kompas.com.

The submitted regulation also allows a maximum prison term of 20 years, life imprisonment and the death penalty for pedophiles, serial rapists and those committing gang rape.

This tougher punishment also applies to perpetrators whose offenses pose severe impact, ranging from injuries to mental disorders and death.

Believing it could eradicate sex crimes – which has been declared an extraordinary crime – the government has defended the regulation, which has drawn both widespread support and opposition from child and women safety activists.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/govt-submits-chemical-castration-regulation-house/