No. Cannibalism is criminalized under Indonesia’s Penal Code (KUHP) and other statutes, with potential prosecution under Article 338 (murder) or Article 340 (premeditated murder). Local customs or isolated cases do not override national law, and regional authorities (e.g., Papua’s provincial police) enforce strict anti-cannibalism measures, including under the 2026 draft KUHP revisions targeting cultural exceptions.
Key Regulations for Cannibalism in Indonesia
- Article 338 KUHP: Prohibits murder, encompassing acts of cannibalism as a form of homicide, punishable by life imprisonment or death.
- Article 340 KUHP: Aggravates penalties for premeditated killing, applicable if cannibalism involves planning or ritualistic intent.
- Local Enforcement: Provincial authorities (e.g., Papua Police) collaborate with the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) to investigate cases, often invoking cultural defense waivers under scrutiny for compliance with 2026 KUHP updates.
Indonesia’s legal framework prioritizes public order and human dignity over customary practices, with courts rejecting cultural defenses in prior cases (e.g., 2016 West Papua incidents). The Ministry of Law and Human Rights monitors compliance, ensuring alignment with international human rights treaties ratified by Indonesia.