Indonesia plans death penalty for child abusers

Indonesia's president announced Wednesday that he has signed legislation giving a maximum penalty of capital punishment to perpetrators of sexual violence against children.

Speaking to reporters at the presidential palace, Joko Widodo called sexual crime against children an "extraordinary crime", saying it threatens and endangers the lives and development of children.

"Extraordinary crimes need extraordinary measures," he added.

The legislation can see the death penalty or a life sentence applied to those found guilty of such abuse, with castration, and the fitting of electronic detection devices and additional penalties

The perpetrator's identity can also be made public as a social punishment.

Widodo said the regulations will broader judges' choice of penalties.

"We expect the presence of this regulation to give deterrent to the perpetrators and suppress sexual crimes against children," he said.

Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yasonna Laoly later told detik.com the legislation would come into play in three months.

"It is our sovereignty right to retain the death penalty," Laoly said.