A 22-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman were publicly flogged 21 times each in Banda Aceh for kissing during a TikTok livestream [1].
The incident highlights the strict enforcement of Sharia law in Aceh province, where social media activity is monitored for violations of Islamic morality codes.
The couple was subjected to the punishment in a public park in Banda Aceh, the capital of the province on the northern tip of Sumatra, Indonesia [1]. The legal action followed a TikTok livestream that took place on Feb. 27, 2024 [1]. Authorities arrested the pair in April 2024 before the subsequent flogging took place [1].
Under Aceh's implementation of Sharia law, kissing is prohibited for unmarried couples [1]. The regional government uses public caning as a deterrent to prevent others from violating these codes, particularly through the use of digital platforms.
Some local residents expressed support for the severity of the punishment. Aini Nadira, a resident of Banda Aceh, said the flogging was justified because it serves as a warning to other residents to be more careful when using social media [1].
The use of rattan canes for public flogging is a recognized part of the judicial system in Aceh, which maintains a level of legal autonomy from the rest of Indonesia. The public nature of the event is designed to maximize the social shame and deterrent effect of the penalty [1].
“A 22-year-old man and a 25-year-old woman were publicly flogged 21 times each”
This case underscores the tension between global digital culture and regional religious governance in Indonesia. By penalizing a TikTok livestream, Aceh authorities are signaling that the reach of Sharia law extends into the virtual space, treating digital broadcasts as public acts subject to physical punishment.
