Any potential ruling would set a far-reaching precedent for Indonesia's handling of encroaching Sharia law. For that matter, any inaction by the court system and by the broader government also sends a message: that the non-Islamic government will take the path of least resistance and turn a blind eye to subversion of the national constitution.
More on this story. "Indonesia: Islamic law may face Supreme Court review," from AdnKronos International, September 17:
Jakarta, 17 Sept. (AKI/Jakarta Post) - Indonesia's home affairs minister Mardiyanto says the government will ask the Supreme Court to review a new Islamic law which condemns adulterers to death by stoning in the province of Aceh. Mardiyanto told reporters on Wednesday that he was coordinating with the justice minister Andi Mattalatta, who is scrutinising contentious articles in the bylaw endorsed by the Aceh legislative council on Monday.
"The government and the public can voice their objections to the qanun [Sharia bylaw]; they can demand the Supreme Court review the bylaw if they consider it wrong or improper. The government will no doubt do that," Mardiyanto said.
"Aceh is part of Indonesia, so it must respect the Constitution and the laws of the country. And remember, Aceh should not be issuing bylaws that are detrimental to its people."
Indonesian rights activists have condemned the new law as "cruel and degrading".
The law, which also allows punishments of up to 400 lashes for child rape, 100 lashes for homosexual acts and 60 lashes for gambling, was passed unanimously on Monday by lawmakers in the region at the northern tip of Sumatra island.
Mardiyanto said the law could deter trade and investment in the region.
"Investors will refuse to come, people will be afraid to visit Aceh... They have to take those things into account."
The bylaw, which is applicable to Muslims and non-Muslims, punishes all parties proved to have "facilitated" such acts including hotels and entertainment venues.
In Banda Aceh, deputy governor Muhammad Nazar said the provincial administration and legislative council were likely to review the new regulation.
"...a new Islamic law which condemns adulterers to death by stoning... The law, which also allows punishments of up to 400 lashes for child rape, 100 lashes for homosexual acts and 60 lashes for gambling... Mardiyanto said the law could deter trade and investment in the region."
Wonder why he thinks that?
Those in Aceh who want the medieval punishment of stoning for adultery should perhaps be removed to an island somewhere and allowed only medieval technologies. They can Shariah themselves to death, if they please.
A state within a state with separate laws never worked, and will never work. Aceh is an anomaly in today's jurisprudence where it tries to shoe horn a Medieval legal system, the Sharia, into a modern state that tries to enforce (however poorly) democratic constitutional norms. Sharia is a big misstep in any nation's attempt to accommodate its 'by-laws' since theirs are meant to dominate and not be dominated. Any coercive, at time violently, by-laws are immediately contrary to legal systems that legally protect our human rights and democratic constitutional ideals. Let Aceh be a lesson for Britain or any other state that entertains the fickle idea that Sharia can coexist in its legal system. It cannot, and never will. Their supreme court must strike Sharia down completely.
The law, which also allows punishments of up to 400 lashes for child rape,
This I agreed with, but after second thoughts, I think amputation is more suitable for molesting any girl under the age of 16, also for any other type of rape
400 lashes for child rape?
I guess they'd better dig up Mohammed and lash him, then.
Risk of stoning and loss of limb, would anyone be game to go to Aceh. They are ofcourse not interested in investment and progressing into the future. They want to go backwards into the 7th century allah willing. Implementing sharia takes you in that direction and destruction of the social structure.Our liberal fools want to bring in sharia into our countries to destroy our way of living.
"cruel and degrading": sounds like Islam.
How does a religion which allows a nine-year-old girl to marry an adult male define "child rape"?