Indonesia gov't bans sex outside marriage

The parliament of Indonesia has unanimously passed a revised Criminal Code that makes sex outside marriage punishable by up to a year in prison (and insulting the president punishable by up to three years). 

Indonesia passes new criminal code, outlaws sex outside marriage | Al Jazeera:

Dec 6, 2022 - "Indonesia has passed a controversial new Criminal Code that includes outlawing sex outside marriage and cohabitation, in changes that critics contend could undermine freedoms in the Southeast Asian nation. The new laws apply to Indonesians and foreigners and also restore a ban on insulting the president, state institutions or Indonesia’s national ideology known as Pancasila.

"The new criminal code, which was approved unanimously by parliament on Tuesday, replaces a framework that had been in use since independence in 1946 and was a mix of Dutch law, customary law known as hukum adat, and modern Indonesian law.... The planned code sparked nationwide student-led protests when a full draft was released in September 2019, amid fears it would curtail personal freedoms. At least 300 people were hurt in the unrest which was also fuelled by concerns that new laws would undermine the fight against corruption. Subsequent revisions have not been released in full.

"The new code must still be signed by the president, according to Deputy Minister of Law and Human Rights Edward Hiariej. It will also not apply immediately, with the transition from the old code to the new one expected to take a maximum of three years.

"A copy of the new code seen by the Associated Press showed that the charge of insult to a sitting president carries a prison term of as long as three years. Hiariej said the government provided 'the strictest possible explanation that distinguishes between insults and criticism.'

"Sex before marriage was not illegal in Indonesia before the code was passed, although adultery was. Under the new law, parents or children will be able to report unmarried couples to the police if they suspect them of having sex — something that critics have said is a move towards moral policing and could also be used to target members of the LGBTQ community. Both sex before marriage and adultery will be punishable by up to a year in prison or a fine under the code. Cohabitation will be punishable by six months in prison or a fine, although only if reported to the police by parents, children, or a spouse....

"The criminal code can be challenged in the Constitutional Court if it is considered that the correct procedure was not followed before it was passed, including seeking relevant and transparent public participation. Labour unions have used that approach to challenge the Jobs Creation Law, which was passed in October 2020 and deemed 'unconstitutional' a year later. The government has been given two years to fix that legislation or risk it becoming permanently invalid."

Read more: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/12/6/indonesia-passes-legislation-outlawing-sex-outside-marriage

Covid and lockdowns surge in SE Asia

Malaysia Reports Record Daily Coronavirus Cases Amid Lockdown | Bloomberg - Yantoultra Ngui:
July 9, 2021 - "Malaysia on Friday reported the biggest single-day increase in new coronavirus cases since the outbreak began, even as authorities impose tighter movement restrictions in several areas to curb infections. The Southeast Asian nation added a record 9,180 Covid-19 cases, as well as 77 deaths... [On August 3 it added 17,105 cases - gd.] Although an accelerated vaccine roll-out has allowed the government to ease virus curbs in six states, providing some breathing space to the economy, much of the country remains under lockdown since June 1."
Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-09/malaysia-reports-record-daily-coronavirus-cases-amid-lockdown

Philippines to Reimpose Lockdown in Capital; Stocks Plunge | Bloomberg - Andreo Calonzo & Ditas B. Lopez:
July 29, 2021 - "The Philippines will place its capital region under a strict lockdown from Aug. 6 to Aug. 20 and implement additional movement restrictions in the interim to stem the spread of the coronavirus’ delta variant.... The Manila capital region, which accounts for about a third of the economy, will shift to the strictest restriction called enhanced community quarantine.... Most businesses will be shut, and only essential shops like supermarkets and pharmacies can fully operate while restaurants will only be open for take out and deliveries.... Only authorized persons will be allowed to go in and out of the capital region and surrounding provinces. Personal care services like beauty salons will be allowed at 30% capacity. Religious events aren’t allowed, except those held virtually."
Read more: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-30/philippines-reimposes-lockdown-in-capital-for-2-wks-from-aug-6

Cambodia to impose COVID-19 lockdowns in areas bordering Thailand | Reuters - Prak Chan Thul:
July 29, 2021 - "Cambodia is set to launch a lockdown in eight provinces bordering Thailand from midnight on Thursday, in a bid to prevent the spread of the Delta variant of the coronavirus in the Southeast Asian country. Prime Minister Hun Sen signed an order late on Wednesday for the lockdown, which bans people from leaving their homes, gathering in groups and conducting business, except for those involved in operating airlines. Border checkpoints with Thailand will also be closed except to allow for the transport of goods and in emergencies, Hun Sen said, adding the lockdown was due to run until Aug. 12."
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/cambodia-impose-covid-19-lockdowns-areas-bordering-thailand-2021-07-29/

Vietnam to extend lockdown throughout southern region as COVID cases soar | Reuters:
July 31, 2021 - "Vietnam will from Monday extend strict curbs on movement in its business hub Ho Chi Minh City and another 18 cities and provinces throughout its south for another two weeks to help combat its worst COVID-19 outbreak, the government said.... The Southeast Asian country reported 8,624 new infections late on Saturday, with most of the confirmed cases detected in the south, especially Ho Chi Minh City where social distancing measures have been enforced since May 31.... The central coastal city of Danang also imposed movement curbs from Saturday until further notice. In the capital Hanoi, in the north, where a lockdown order will expire next weekend, authorities were considering extending restrictions."
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/vietnam-extend-lockdown-throughout-southern-region-covid-cases-soar-2021-07-31/

Thailand extends pandemic measures, expands lockdown areas | Reuters - Orathai Sriring & Panarat Thepgumpanat: 
August 1, 2021 - "Thailand on Sunday extended tighter containment measures in the capital and high-risk provinces probably until the end of August in a bid to slow the spread of COVID-19 as the country deals with its biggest outbreak to date.... The restrictions, including travel curbs, mall closures and curfews, will be expanded to 29 provinces classified as 'dark red zone' from 13, Apisamai Srirangsan, spokeswoman for the government's COVID-19 task force, told a televised news briefing. The measures will start on Tuesday for 14 days and will be reviewed on Aug. 18, she said. 'If the situation does not improve and is still worrying, the curbs will be extended to Aug. 31,' she added.... Restaurants in shopping malls will be allowed to open only for deliveries, while construction camps can also resume under 'bubble and seal' measures.... The curbs [have] hit economic activity, and the finance ministry on Thursday slashed its 2021 economic growth forecast to 1.3% from 2.3% seen earlier."
Read more: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/thailand-extends-stricter-covid-19-measures-until-end-august-2021-08-01/

Indonesia extends lockdown after Covid-19 cases decrease | Straits Times - Wahyudi Soeriaatmadja:
August 2, 2021 - "Indonesia has extended its partial lockdown for a week, after the month-long restrictions successfully lowered the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Java and Bali.... The ongoing lockdown that began on July 3 covers parts of Java and Bali, and 15 other cities and regencies in places such as Sumatra and Sulawesi. It has led to the suspension of most activities and closure of non-essential public places, including malls, places of worship and parks. Java and Bali now report less than half the number of daily confirmed cases reported in mid-July, health minister Budi Sadikin said in an earlier media briefing on Monday. Mr. Budi conceded however that other regions have begun to see surging infections, but noted that these areas were less densely populated compared with Java and Bali, and similar control measures could be applied there."
Read more: https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/indonesia-extends-lockdown-after-covid-19-cases-decrease

COVID-19 lockdown in Laos extended till Aug. 18 | Xinhua:
August 3, 2021 - "The Lao government has decided to extend the current nationwide lockdown to Aug. 18 as ... COVID-19 cases continued to rise. Deputy Head of the Prime Minister's Office, Thipphakone Chanthavongsa, told a press conference in Lao capital Vientiane on Tuesday that the lockdown will be extended as the COVID-19 situation in Laos is not yet fully under control and the situation in neighboring countries remained risky. The current nationwide lockdown, imposed on July 19, was set to expire on Tuesday."
Read more: http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/asiapacific/2021-08/03/c_1310104966.htm

Thais vote for legal medical cannabis & kratom

Thailand legislature legalises medical cannabis and kratom - Al Jazeera:

December 25, 2018 - "Thailand's legislature has agreed to amend the country's drug law to allow the licensed medical use of cannabis, as well as kratom, a locally grown plant traditionally used as a stimulant and painkiller. The Thai legislation on Tuesday passed its final reading at the National Legislative Assembly by a vote of 166-0 with 13 abstentions....

"The changes, which become law when published in the Royal Gazette, legalise the production, import, export, possession and use of cannabis and kratom products for medical purposes.

"Purveyors, producers and researchers will need licenses to handle the drugs, while end-users will need prescriptions.

"Thailand is the first country to take such action in Southeast Asia, a region with some of the world’s strictest drug laws. The move is under consideration in neighbouring Malaysia, while New Zealand's government earlier this month enacted a law liberalising the medical use of cannabis, which had previously been tightly restricted.

"Recreational use of the drugs remains illegal in Thailand and subject to prison terms and fines....

"While countries from Colombia to Canada have legalised cannabis for medical or even recreational use, the drug remains illegal and taboo across much of Southeast Asia, which has some of the world’s harshest punishments for drug law violations. Cannabis traffickers can be subject to the death penalty in Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia.

"Some said they hoped Tuesday's approval would pave the way for legalisation for recreational use.

"'This is the first baby step forward,' said Chokwan Chopaka, an activist with Highland Network, a cannabis legalization advocacy group in Thailand."

Read more: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/12/thailand-legislature-legalises-medical-cannabis-kratom-181226010249208.html