"According to the [12-year-old] girl's parents and some witnesses, the marriage between Pujiono and her is valid according to religion (kawin siri), but it is not registered with the state."
It's clear which brand of law Pujiono is going with, after the example of Muhammad's marriage to Aisha.
More on this story. "Cleric may face criminal charges: Commission," by Erwida Maulia for the Jakarta Post, October 27:
The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) is planning to report to police a rich Muslim cleric in Semarang, Central Java, who married a 12-year-old girl, accusing him of having illegal sex with a minor.
KPAI secretary Hadi Supeno said Sunday the commission's fact-finding team sent to Semarang at the weekend found that cleric Pujiono Cahyo Widianto, 43, owner and head of an Islamic boarding school there, had married and very likely slept with 12-year-old Lutfiana Ulfa.
"According to the girl's parents and some witnesses, the marriage between Pujiono and her is valid according to religion (kawin siri), but it is not registered with the state," Hadi told The Jakarta Post.
"What surprises us is that she was selected through a contest involving Puji's first wife and followers as a panel of judges. Puji married the girl after she beat her competitors."
He said Lutfiana's parents admitted they had married her to Pujiono because of their financial difficulties.
"They said they couldn't afford to send their children to school and hoped the marriage would improve their economic situation."
Hadi said the commission would immediately report Pujiono, his 26-year-old first wife and Lutfiana's parents to the Central Java Police for a criminal investigation.
All those involved in the case, he said, could be charged under Articles 81, 82 and 83 of the 2002 Law on Child Protection. If found guilty, they would face a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail and a fine of Rp 300 million (US$30,000), for "forcing", "swindling" and/or "trading" a minor to sleep with another person.
The law defines a minor as anyone under the age of 18.
Hadi said Pujiono and the minor's parents might have also violated the 1974 Marriage Law, which states a person must be at least 16 to marry.
Hadi said it would require a psychological test to prove whether the cleric could be termed a pedophile.
"We hope the police or the court, if the case is brought to trial, can determine this," he added.
Pujiono reportedly married Lutfiana as his second wife in August and has declared he plans to marry two even younger girls -- a seven-year-old and a nine-year old. The "eccentric" cleric refused to name the children out of concern it would spark "wider criticism"....
So this upstanding, wealthy imam, a pillar of his community, has "married" a twelve-year-old and has announced his intentions to "marry" a seven- year-old and a nine-year-old as well.
The Child Protection secretary frets, in light of this information, that a "psychological test" will be necessary to prove the imam a pedophile/child molester.
One can't help but wonder if Indonesia requires a DNA test to determine if a bird that looks, waddles and quacks like a duck is, indeed, a duck.
he is not under the right kind of fire..
With his first wife acting as pimp.
At least he wasn't related to her. It's actually pretty progressive for the Muslim world in that respect. Of course, on Indonesia Matters they're all blaming this on the West somehow. Then checking out kiddie porn.
The Child Protection secretary frets, in light of this information, that a "psychological test" will be necessary to prove the imam a pedophile/child molester.
Posted by: Marwan'sDaughter
One can't help but wonder if Indonesia requires a DNA test to determine if a bird that looks, waddles and quacks like a duck is, indeed, a duck.
Yes it does make one wonder.
The Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI), should be calling for the girl to under go a virginity test, and DNA test, so as to get conclusive evidence as to whether this "charitable kyai" has had sex with her.
Now what would be the case if she is found to be a virgin ?
Does anybody here know ?
Well for starters, this "charitable kyai" is acting within the law on Marriage No.1/1974 article 45
Early marriage is not uncommon in Indonesia. Indonesia laws allow girls to marry at the age of 16. However, marriage before the age of 16 is possible with the consent of the girl’s parents, and the religious court or an officer of
the government’s religious affairs office. Once married a girl is no longer considered a child and no longer benefits from child protection rights.
Even though it is only in rare cases that married children still continue their education, regardless of their age, there is no legal restriction imposed upon them not to go to school. Law No.2/1989 on national education system does not prohibit married children from going to school. Article 5 of this law states
that “every citizen has an equal right to receive education”. At the same time,Article 7 states “the acceptance of a person as a student in an education unit held without any discrimination against sex, religion, ethnic, race, social status
and level of economic power, taking into consideration the specific characteristics of any special education unit”.. Therefore, there is no
requirement/obligation for every school to accept married children as its students.
It is deplorable to label this "charitable kyai" as a pedophile until we have conclusive evidence
What we should be doing is target the Indonesia government, for having such a law, that has made it possible for hundreds of thousands of young girls to be legally raped since this law was passed in 1974.
We should also be targeting the root source of this disgusting law. ISLAM
We should remember a little ditty by Frank Vincent Zappa before we libel this "charitable kyai" without evidence
What's the ugliest
Part of your body?
What's the ugliest
Part of your body?
Some say your nose
Some say your toes
But I think it's your MIND
Oh, there's a contest involved? Funny, I've never heard of a contest anywhere else where first prize was a 12 year old girl.
These people must be misunderstanding Islam. CAIR? Comments please? You too, MSA. Any thoughts about how you will be offended by Robert Spenser, but do not find this offensive?
Now there's a guy who's committed to his principles.
Unfortunately, his principles suck.
"They said they couldn't afford to send their children to school and hoped the marriage would improve their economic situation."
Who's economic situation is being improved, the girls, or her parents? One less mouth to feed and a cash settlement might be incentive to sell your daughter into slavery.
I thought Islam's Ummah was a productive society, where everyone prospers, can afford to send their children to school, and have plenty of food...
I see I was wrong, Allah remembered to enrich the Saudi's, and a few others, but neglected the other billion or so.
I guess Allah is not an equal opportunity employer...Mohammadans should sue under the equal work for Allah, equal pay plan.
I'm certain the the new President Obama would push for that, when he 'spreads 'your' wealth around'...
If they won, they would not have to trade in their daughters for two ten pound bags of falafel...