Jakarta, CNN Indonesia —

Elva Farhi Qolbina, a member of the DKI Jakarta Regional House of Representatives from the PSI faction, has voiced her criticism regarding the Governor’s Regulation (Pergub) that permits civil servants (ASN) to engage in polygamy.

She questioned the statement made by Acting Governor of DKI Jakarta, Teguh Setyabudi, which indicated that Pergub No. 2 of 2025 aims to protect the families of ASN.

“Why is Pj Teguh using this as a means to protect families? There are many other more effective options to achieve that goal,” Elva stated in her remarks on Sunday (January 18).

Elva believes this approach is misguided and asserts that the appropriate way to protect families is by revising Regional Regulation No. 8 of 2011 concerning the Protection of Women and Children, which she views as outdated.

This regulation is considered insufficient to adequately protect women, who are particularly vulnerable to violence, including domestic violence (KDRT).

She also noted that this regulation does not incorporate provisions from Law No. 12 of 2022 concerning Sexual Violence Crimes. Elva argues that the Sexual Violence Crime Law encompasses various aspects, including non-physical sexual harassment, forced marriage, and electronic sexual violence.

“Instead of endorsing a regulation that allows polygamy, Pj Teguh and the DKI Jakarta provincial government should instead integrate the Sexual Violence Crime Law into the regional regulation to strengthen protections for women and children,” she emphasized.

Recently, there has been public outcry following Pj Governor Teguh Setyabudi’s issuance of a regulation outlining the mechanisms for ASN to practice polygamy.

This regulation is detailed in Governor’s Regulation (Pergub) Number 2 of 2025 concerning the Procedures for Granting Marriage and Divorce Licenses.

According to this regulation, male ASN are permitted to engage in polygamy, provided they obtain consent from their current wife and approval from the relevant authorities prior to marriage.

The fundamental reasons allowing ASN to practice polygamy include situations where a wife is unable to fulfill her obligations, suffers from a permanent disability or illness, or is unable to bear children after ten years of marriage.

In response to the backlash, Teguh clarified that the regulation should not be interpreted in isolation. He encouraged the public to read the entire content of Pergub Number 2 of 2025 to avoid misunderstandings.

“Please delve deeper into the contents of Pergub Number 2 of 2025, rather than just cherry-picking one sentence. It should be read comprehensively,” Teguh told reporters at Ecovention Ancol, North Jakarta, on Friday (January 17).

Teguh firmly maintained that the regulation was established to protect ASN families, asserting that it could impose stricter guidelines regarding marriage and divorce.

“What has been sensationalized is the notion that we are permitting polygamy; that is not at all our intention,” he stated.

(mnf/wiw)

[Gambas:Video CNN]