DPR Urges MUI to Immediately Submit Draft Bill on LGBT Criminalisation

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Dis Representatives (DPR RI), Saan Mustopa, has requested the Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) to immediately submit the draft and academic manuscript for the Draft Law on Criminalising Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) individuals. This step is necessary so that the proposal can be reviewed in accordance with the prevailing legislative mechanisms within the DPR.

“The DPR is certainly open to input and aspirations from the MUI, which is currently preparing the bill related to LGBT issues,” Saan stated at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, on Tuesday (30/06/2026).

Saan explained that every legislative proposal originating from the public or community organisations will be studied and examined in depth. However, he emphasised the importance of submitting the documents officially to ensure the follow-up process can proceed.

“Later, at the Legislative Body (Baleg), or with the leadership, or at the DPR Expertise Body (BKD), the proposal will certainly be reviewed,” he added.

Furthermore, Saan mentioned that the discussion of this bill will depend heavily on the substance of the submitted proposal. This includes its alignment with national legal needs and the existing statutory provisions in Indonesia.

Previously, the MUI revealed that it is currently drafting the academic manuscript and the draft LGBT Criminal Bill. This initiative aims to push the regulation into the DPR RI’s National Legislative Program (Prolegnas).

The Deputy General Chairman of the MUI, Cholil Nafis, stated that this legal approach is being taken because moral approaches and social appeals are deemed no longer effective. According to him, the phenomenon of LGBT visibility in the public sphere requires a firmer and clearer legal foundation.

The draft and academic manuscript being finalised by the MUI will serve as the formal basis for proposing the LGBT Criminal Bill to gain priority discussion in parliament.

The General Chairman of the MUI, KH Anwar Iskandar, has called on the government to firmly reject LGBT and not to imitate Western values. He emphasised the need for legal protection alongside plans for humanist education.