Indonesia’s Prosperous Justice Party, PKS, says it has received a national anti-LGBTQ+ draft from the Indonesian Ulema Council, MUI, and will pursue it through parliament’s legislative body.

The organisations met in Jakarta on 6 October. In an account published on 8 October, PKS quotes party president Almuzzammil Yusuf saying MUI handed over an academic paper and a draft titled RUU Pencegahan dan Penanggulangan LGBTQ, concerning the prevention and handling of LGBTQ.

The accounts reviewed do not confirm that the draft has been formally introduced in parliament, approved or enacted.

MUI’s account of the meeting also quotes Yusuf saying a paper and draft had been handed over. It describes possible follow-up meetings and a proposed invitation for MUI to speak to Baleg, the House of Representatives’ legislative body. Its report discusses family resilience without naming the LGBTQ proposal.

PKS’s report names the proposal and records Yusuf calling for action against what he describes as LGBTQ conduct and propaganda, alongside guidance, support and rehabilitation. The report sets out his position; the draft’s precise clauses remain unverified.

Earlier opposition

A human-rights coalition had written to parliament about the proposal in August. Its 7 August letter asked MPs to reject it. Amnesty International Indonesia published the letter on 24 August.

The signatories warned of criminalisation, discrimination and stigma based on identity. They sought equality before the law and public participation, along with safeguards for expression, peaceful assembly and association.

This national lobbying is separate from the Cirebon youth groups’ demand for a city bylaw at an 8 October hearing, reported earlier by Fridae.

The next questions are whether PKS formally submits a bill and what its text would require.