MUI Rejects Mere Rehabilitation for Gay Party Participants, KH Cholil: Criminal Sanctions Must Apply

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) has firmly rejected the discourse of rehabilitation or guidance for perpetrators of gay parties (same-sex parties). MUI Deputy General Chairman KH Cholil Nafis considers such handling insufficient to provide a deterrent effect and potentially fosters a permissive attitude within society.

Therefore, MUI is pushing for regulations that allow the application of firm criminal sanctions against both the perpetrators and those who campaign for such behaviour. This was conveyed by the MUI Deputy General Chairman in response to steps taken by regional authorities who chose a guidance path, such as the discourse of isolating several teenagers involved in a same-sex party in military barracks.

According to MUI, such guidance measures will never be sufficient as long as there is no binding legal certainty. “I think it is not enough. Because there is no firm punishment,” said Kiai Cholil as quoted from the MUI Digital page, Sunday (14/6/2026).

Kiai Cholil explained that referring to the principles of moral and sharia firmness, compromise spaces like rehabilitation for perpetrators of same-sex relations are considered not to educate the public to see such actions as a serious violation. Criminal sanctions are seen as far more effective in shielding the public from the spread of such behaviour. MUI asserts that no LGBT perpetrators are rehabilitated within the framework of Islamic law; instead, they are punished like adultery, even exceeding adultery.

“So personally, I do not want rehabilitation, because it will be considered not firm, considered as still being fond of the habit,” he said.