Indonesia’s bid to woo investors complicated by ‘sex ban’ code

Southeast Asian country’s businesses community is divided on how revised code will affect efforts

For years, Indonesia has strived to present itself as a welcoming investment destination to rival neighbours Vietnam and Malaysia, Qazet.az reports.

In 2016, during his first term in office, Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo announced the opening up of dozens of industries to foreign investment in what he termed a “big bang” of economic liberalisation.

Six years later, the Southeast Asian country’s controversial new criminal code – which has been blazed across international headlines since its adoption earlier this month due to its ban on sex outside of marriage – is raising questions about Jakarta’s commitment to fostering an open and welcoming business environment.

In Indonesia, opinion remains divided on whether the revised criminal code, which includes prohibitions on blasphemy, cohabitation, sorcery and insulting the government, helps or hurts Jakarta’s sales pitch to the world.

The Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO) has raised concerns about several sections of the code, including penalties for corporate crime that will have a “broad impact”, and the recognition of customary law.

“For the business sector, the implementation of this customary law shall create legal uncertainty and make investors reconsider investing in Indonesia,” APINDO said in a statement provided to Al Jazeera.