IO – Women Empowerment and Child Protection (PPPA) Minister Bintang Puspayoga stated that the Government and the House of Representatives have agreed and are equally committed to immediately discussing and ratifying the Sexual Violence Criminal Act Bill (RUU TPKS), Tuesday (1/11/2022).
The Government has been in communication with the House’s Legislation Committee and with the House’s leaders to work out details on the Bill.
The PPPA Ministry has also been engaged in dialogues with academics, experts, political parties, non-governmental organizations (NGO), women and children’s organizations and religious organizations to discuss the controversial points in RUU TPKS.
The Ministry has been trying to search for a more flexible way to formulate a common ground and align regulations, by considering input from different sides. Simultaneously, the Government is building communication with Working Committee leaders, the Legislation Committee, and leaders of the House. “This is necessary to build a mutual understanding, as directed by President Jokowi on Jan. 4, 2022, for the PPPA Ministry to be in communication with the leaders of the House,” explained Bintang.
PPPA Ministry also reaches out to those who raise objections on a number of articles in RUU TPKS. “Without hesitation, we attend forums that present any strong disapproval. We show our willingness to cooperate, listen to suggestions and consider everything,” added Bintang.
The PPPA Minister underscored how the Government needs to immediately support victims of sexual violence through RUU TPKS, as many of them have the courage to speak up, but justice has not been served.
Bintang also expressed her appreciation for the House’s plan to ratify RUU TPKS as a House-initiative Bill at the Plenary Session on Jan. 18, 2022. “We sincerely hope that the leaders and members of the House can give their best to the Indonesian people. RUU TPKS is critical for victims to obtain justice and regain their dignity,” she stated.
PPPA Ministry will closely oversee discussions on RUU TPKS until it is passed as a House-initiative Bill, respectful of all the procedures and mechanisms of the House of Representatives.
The Ministry has closely followed RUU TPKS since the preliminary discussion. It will continue to do so until the Bill is submitted to the Government for recommendation and eventually passed into law.
Due to administrative impediments, RUU TPKS could not be ratified as a House-initiative Bill at the Plenary Session on Dec. 16, 2021. In fact, seven of the nine factions in the House had approved the proposed Bill in the Working Committee meeting in the Legislation Committee.
The seven factions that support RUU TPKS Bill were PDI-P, Gerindra, Nasdem, PKB, Democratic Party, PAN and PPP. While Golkar requested a postponement to hear more opinions from the public, the PKS faction firmly rejected the proposed Bill. (eka)