
JAKARTA ? In Indonesia?s province of Aceh, where Islamic law governs, adultery, gambling, tight jeans and Mohawk haircuts are outlawed by religious police.
Now, women passengers have been banned from straddling motorbikes. The new bylaw has sparked strong criticism with activists saying that discriminatory regulations, seemingly justified by Islam, are undermining Indonesia?s pluralist reputation.
In the Aceh town of Lhokseumawe, the moral crusade continues.
Town Mayor Suaidi Yahya says local morals are slipping - and it?s ?impolite? for women to straddle motorbikes.
Religious leaders have expressed support for the new regulation, but women?s groups say it is ridiculous and unfair. They say local laws enacted in the name of religion and morality have disproportionately affected women.
Andi Yetriyani from the national body on women?s rights says the bylaw is a big step backwards for Aceh, and for Indonesia.
?Basically this is a discriminatory regulation against women," Yetriyani stated. "It is also undermining the whole movement for advancing human rights in Indonesia.?
So why aren?t Achenese women taking to the streets?
Yetriyani says it?s not so easy.

hmmmm wont help road safety tho, nearly come a cropper few times while perving birds n driving
fat en no present of course


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