KUALA LUMPUR: An Indonesian city is looking to criminalize homosexuality among other restrictive measures, city officials say are part of an effort to implement Sharia, or Islamic law. Tasikamalay in West Java has come under much anger and frustration from both women and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community this month, following an announcement that the city would force women to wear headscarfs and ban homosexuality. Although homosexuality is not a crime under Indonesia's national laws, a number of local governments have sought to ban it by including it in local public morality laws. The Tasikmalaya law was originally passed by the local government, led by Islamic parties in 2009, but city officials have taken until now to develop the regulations needed to implement it. The law also outlaws adultery, pornography and the consumption of alcohol within the municipality's borders. Tasikmalaya city secretary Tio Indra Setiadi told OnIslam.net that the city would set up a squad of Sharia police to enforce the law like those already operating in Indonesia's autonomous province of Aceh. “This bylaw is intended mainly to educate people to live in accordance with Islamic teachings,” Setiadi said. “[But] people intending to report violations of the bylaw will face difficulties if we don't have an apparatus to enforce it." The Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has the power to throw out the law within 30 days if he believes it conflicts with constitutional human rights protections, or it can be challenged in the Supreme Court of Indonesia. Indonesian LGBT activists told Bikyamasr.com that they hope the government will intercede and ensure that personal freedoms are upheld and strike down much of the proposed legislation. And it appears to be gaining traction, as recent reports suggest Indonesia's Home Affairs Minister Gamawan Fauzi may be prepared to act to block the law or require the watering down of some components of it. ** Alisha Hassan contributed to this report.
