SHARIAsource

Originally sourced from the Dutch colonial criminal code (Wetboek van Strafrecht voor Nederlandsh-Indie), the Criminal Code's relevance to the application of shari'a in Indonesia, among others, lies in the wording of art 156a. Article 156a prescribes up to five years' imprisonment for any person who intentionally, in public, expresses a feeling or conducts themselves in a way that:

1. is hostile, abusive, or defamatory towards a religion followed in Indonesia; or
2. intends to discourage persons from embracing a religion based on the belief in One Almighty God.

The Criminal Code is also referred to in some religious court (pengadilan agama) decisions, and already covers certain parts of the criminal law that Acehnese regional legislation (qanun) seeks to regulate.