Aceh Couple Caned for Indecent Act During TikTok Live Stream

A couple caught engaging in an indecent act inside a car while live streaming on the social media platform TikTok were publicly caned at Taman Sari, Banda Aceh, on Thursday (2/7).

The young man and woman, identified by the initials PR (22) and LH (25), were each given 21 lashes. They were found guilty of violating Article 25, paragraph (1) of Aceh Qanun Number 12 of 2025 concerning amendments to the Jinayat Law (Jarimah Ikhtilath).

CNNIndonesia.com observed that LH groaned in pain during the caning and raised his hand several times to request a temporary halt. Upon receiving the final stroke, LH fainted for two minutes before regaining consciousness as a medical team attended to him.

“This is the couple we apprehended for committing an indecent act in a car while both were live streaming on social media,” said the Head of the Banda Aceh Civil Service Police Unit and Wilayatul Hisbah, Muhammad Rizal.

Rizal explained that the case began when the pair were detained by officers inside a vehicle parked in a corner of Banda Aceh city one night in March. He noted that their actions were uncovered following reports from concerned citizens who were disturbed by the content of their live stream.

“This triggered public outrage among netizens and local residents who subsequently reported it to the authorities,” he stated. Rizal confirmed that his office had secured sufficient evidence, including video captures and witness testimony, to charge the pair with violating Islamic law.

In response to the case, the Sharia Police in Banda Aceh have intensified their cyber patrols to monitor social media activity, particularly live streams on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, for potential breaches of Sharia law.

“If the locus is within Banda Aceh, we will certainly pursue it. Anyone involved will be tracked down. However, the process must be supported by sufficient witnesses and evidence,” Rizal said.