Jakarta – The deliberation of the Draft Law on the Eradication of Sexual Violence (RUU PKS) is still the subject of a polemic. Some parties, including for example the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) believe the law will be able to push down the level of sexual violence and protect victims.

Kanavino Ahmad Rizqo, Jakarta – Indonesian Ulama Council (MUI) Secretary General Anwar Abbas has asked the Indonesian military (TNI) to take a firm position on soldiers who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT). Abbas said this is simply to safeguard the TNI reputation so it is not destroyed in the eyes of the people.

Rahel, Jakarta – The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) issue has again come under the spotlight after several Indonesian military (TNI) personnel were dismissed for having same-sex relationships.

Dipo Negoro and Leon Kastayudha – The Draft Omnibus Law on Job Creation was finally enacted into law by the House of Representatives (DPR) on October 5.

Jakarta – Another hammer-and-sickle flag case has again raised its head after a flag with the communist logo was found in Makassar. Over the years such cases have occurred unintentionally, have related to scholarly studies, hoaxes intended to trigger unrests, criminalisation of activists and the revival of identity politics.

On the afternoon of Friday February 14, 20 or so women and seven men braved heavy rain to take to the streets of the East Java city of Malang to hold a One Billion rising action against sexual violence.

Jakarta – Amnesty International is urging the Depok municipal government to immediately revoke a call for raids on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) groups in Depok city.

Haris Prabowo – A book raid by a group of people calling themselves the Indonesian Muslim Brigade (BMI) in the South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar has caused an uproar on social media. The group confiscated books which they claim contain “communist and leftist ideas”.

Jakarta – Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab’s name has again come into the public spotlight in the midst of a planned political reconciliation following the 2019 presidential elections.

Jakarta – House of Representatives Deputy (DPR) Speaker Fahri Hamzah has confirmed that the Indonesia New Direction Movement (Garbi) social organisation (ormas) will soon be transformed into a political party (parpol).

Jakarta – The Acehnese Regional House of Representatives (DPRA) is justifying a plan by the Aceh government to legalise polygamy on the grounds that it will save women and children who have fallen victim to nikah siri (common law marriage recognised by Islam).

Samsudhuha Wildansyah, Jakarta – Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) General Chairperson Sobri Lubis has called on supporters to prepare themselves for and take part in a long-term constitutional jihad (holy war) if incumbent President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is declared the winner of the 2019 presidential election.

Jakarta – Thousands of people “safeguarding” a challenge to the 2019 presidential election result at the Constructional Court by the loosing presidential ticket of Prabowo Subianto and Sandiaga Uno converged on Jl Medan Merdeka Barat in Central Jakarta on Thursday June 27.

Mochamad Zhacky, Jakarta – The Alumni Brotherhood 212 (PA 212), the National Movement to Safeguard the Indonesian Ulema Council’s Fatwa (GNPF-MUI) and a number of other Islamic groups will hold an action to safeguard the final hearing of a challenge to the presidential election result at the Constitutional Court (MK) on June 28.

M Rosseno Aji, Jakarta – The 212 Alumni Brotherhood (PA 212) says it will hold a series of protests in the vicinity of the Constitutional Court (MK) in Central Jakarta throughout the legal challenge against the presidential election result by the loosing ticket of Prabowo Subianto and Sandiaga Uno.

Dwi Bowo Raharjo and Novian Ardiansyah – A crowd of protesters have joined in “safeguarding” the first hearing of a challenge to the 2019 presidential election results by the loosing ticket of Prabowo Subianto and running mate Sandiaga Uno at the Constitutional Court.

Jakarta – 212 Alumni Brotherhood (PA 212) spokesperson Novel Bamukmin insists that the participants taking part in a peaceful action to “safeguard” the first hearing of a challenge to the 2019 presidential election result at the Constitutional Court (MK) on Friday June 14 are not there as political party (parpol) servants or errand boys.

Theresia Felisiani, Jakarta – Coordinating Minister for Security, Politics and Legal Affairs (Menko Polhukam) Wiranto has guaranteed that any legal measures taken by the government based on recommendations by the recently formed legal assistance team will be clear and measured.

Agus Setyadi, Banda Aceh – The Brunei Darussalam sultanate has enacted laws ranging from canning to stoning to death for the crime of homosexuality. Prior to enacting the laws, Brunei conducted comparative studies in Aceh to learn about Islamic law.

Oktaviani – The “sumpah pocong” challenge thrown up by Coordinating Minister for Security, Politics and Legal Affairs Wiranto to former Army Strategic Reserves Command (Green Berets) commander Major General Kivlan Zein is inappropriate.