Banda Aceh – A couple caught committing immoral acts in a car while live-streaming on TikTok were publicly caned at the Sari Park in Banda Aceh, on Thursday July 2. The young man, identified as PR (22) and his partner LH (25), were both lashed 21 times.
They were found guilty of violating Article 25 paragraph (1) of Aceh Qanun (Bylaw) Number 12/2025 on Amendments to Aceh Qanun Number 6/2014 on Criminal Law (Jarimah Ikhtilath).
According to CNN Indonesia's observations, LH groaned in pain while being caned. He raised his hands several times to ask for a temporary halt. During the final stroke, LH fainted for two minutes. He regained consciousness when a team of doctors examined him.
"This is the couple we caught committing immoral acts in a car while they were live-streaming on social media", said the head of the Banda Aceh Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) and Wilayatul Hisbah (WH, morality police), Muhammad Rizal.
Rizal explained that the case began when the two were apprehended by officers in a car parked in a corner of Banda Aceh city one night in March.
According to Rizal, the pair were caught thanks to reports from residents who were disturbed by seeing their live broadcast which contained immoral content.
"This sparked criticism from netizens and local residents, who then reported it to officers", he said.
Rizal said that his team also had evidence in the form of video captures and a video, as well as a witnesses that reported the two for violating Syariat Islam (Islamic Law).
"There were video captures, and then someone reported them". he said.
Sharia Police cyber patrol
The Banda Aceh city Sharia (Islamic) Police have intensified cyber patrols to monitor social media activity, particularly live broadcasts on TikTok and Instagram, which are suspected of violating Islamic law.
Rizal said they now has a special team that routinely monitors online activity in the virtual world. This move has been taken as a preventative measure and to take action against content that potentially violates Islamic law.
"If the location [of the incident] is in Banda Aceh city, we will definitely follow it up if any violations are found. Whoever it is, we will pursue them. However the process must of course be supported by witnesses and sufficient evidence", said Rizal.
He emphasised that cyber patrols are part of the monitoring currently being carried out by the Satpol PP and WH in line with the increasing public activity on social media.
"Correct, we are conducting cyber patrols. We have a team that constantly monitors movements on social media" he said. (fra/dra/fra)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Pasangan di Aceh Kena Hukum Cambuk Buntut Asusila saat Live TikTok".]
