‘Black Magic’ may become illegal in Indonesia, ‘White Magic’ still ok
An outdated criminal code in the populous country of Indonesia received some massive revisions, which include criminal sentences for adultery, living together out of wedlock and the performance of black magic by sorcerers, according to a Jakarta Globe report Thursday.
Universal Studios Orlando 2012 photo/Brandon Jones
The current Criminal Code lacks laws on witchcraft or dark magic but under revised articles, those found guilty of using black magic to cause “someone’s illness, death, mental or physical suffering,” will face up to five years in jail or up to 300 million rupiah (920,000 baht) in fines.
Good or “white” magic will remain legal.
In addition, a convicted adulterer can receive up to five years in prison, this is up from the current law that prescribes a maximum sentence of nine months.
Living in sin, or out of wedlock was previously not a punishable offense; however, under the new code, it will be a crime.
The revised Criminal Code still needs to pass through the House of Representatives before it becomes law. The document was submitted to lawmakers on Wednesday, a source with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights said.
