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).

Two hundred protesters held an action commemorating May Day 2019 or Labour Day on May 1 which was centred in front of the Baiturrahman Grand Mosque in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh. The action also included a motorcycle convoy around the city.

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.

Budiarti Utami Putri, Jakarta – Indonesian Solidarity Party (PSI) chairperson Grace Natalie has been reported to the national police headquarters criminal investigation bureau (Bareskrim Mabes Polri) for alleged blasphemy against religion.

Protesters from the Aceh Labour Alliance (ABA) took part in an action commemorating International Labour Day or May Day during which they demanding that workers be paid the minimum wage and raised concerns about companies employing foreign workers (TKA).

Lendy Ramadhan, Jakarta – Scores of women calling themselves Women’s Solidarity (Solidaritas Perempuan) held a protest action in front of the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Tuesday March 8 to commemorate International Women’s Day (IWD) 2016.

Agus Setyadi, Banda Aceh – A hundred or so workers in the Acehnese provincial capital of Banda Aceh held prayers on a main street for the close of demonstrations commemorating Labour Day in Aceh. The workers, who came from Acehnese trade unions, demanded welfare improvements and rejected low wages.

Taufan Mustafa, Banda Aceh – A demonstration commemorating International Labour Day in the Achenese provincial capital of Banda Aceh on Tuesday May 1 began with a convoy from the Raya Baiturrahman Mosque to the Aceh governor’s office.

Nur Raihan, Banda Aceh – Hundreds of Acehnese women’s activists held a march from the Baiturrahman Great Mosque in the provincial capital of Banda Aceh to the offices of the Aceh Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) on March 8. The action was organised to commemorate International Women’s day.

Banda Aceh – At least 35 women academics, legal practitioners, activists and students visited the Aceh Provincial Legislative Council (DPRD) at midday on Friday June 10.

Jakarta – The Attorney General supports public floggings as punishment for cases of gambling in Aceh. This support was conveyed by the Attorney General when meeting with a number of Acehnese figures last week to discuss Qanun (by-law) Number 13/2003 on gambling which stipulates the punishment of public flogging.

Medan – Punishment in the form of public floggings (hukum cambuk) for Muslims who violate Islamic law in Aceh will soon be implemented.