Who Can Report Kumpul Kebo According to the Law

The party who can report the gathering. (Photo: IST)

YOGYAKARTA - The term kumpul kebo or the practice of living together without marriage is now legally binding in Indonesia in line with the implementation of the new Criminal Code (KUHP) starting January 2, 2026. However, who can report kumpul kebo?

Although this practice can be punished, not everyone has the right to report a partner who practices kumpul kebo. In particular, the new Criminal Code stipulates that living together as husband and wife outside of marriage is an absolute complaint offense, so that legal proceedings can only proceed if there is a report from a certain party.

Kumpul Kebo Regulated in the New Criminal Code

In the legal terms of the Criminal Code, the activities of kumpul kebo or living together are not explicitly explained. However, the concept is included in the arrangement of cohabitation, namely living together as husband and wife without a valid marriage bond.

This provision can be found in Article 412 of the new Criminal Code which was enacted through Law Number 1 of 2023. Legal expert from Trisakti University, Abdul Fickar Hadjar, said that the act of cohabitation can be punished with imprisonment for a maximum of six months or a maximum fine of Rp. 10 million (category II).

"He is threatened with a maximum of six months in prison or a maximum fine of Rp. 10 million for Category II," explained Abdul.

Not Including Common Crimes, There Must Be Complaints

Abdul explained that kumpul kebo is not included in violations that can be processed automatically by law enforcement officers. Article 412 paragraph (2) of the new Criminal Code states that criminal offenses can only be prosecuted due to a complaint from the entitled victim. In other words, without an official complaint, law enforcement officers are not obliged to process the kumpul kebo case. This provision is intended to limit state interference in the private life of every citizen.

Who Can Report Kumpul Kebo?

Abdul explained that the new Criminal Code clearly determines the parties who have legal status to report a couple of kumpul kebo. For anyone who is still bound by marriage, the party who has the right to file a complaint is the legitimate husband or wife.

Meanwhile, for every couple who is not bound by marital status, the report can only be made by the parents or children of the perpetrator. Parties outside these categories do not have legal standing to file a complaint.

Religious Organizations and Neighbors Cannot Report Kumpul Kebo

The provision of the absolute complaint delict makes neighbors, residents around, community organizations, or unknown people not have the authority to report a couple of kumpul kebo.

According to Abdul, if these parties still submit reports without legal basis, they risk being entangled in the defamation article. This is because the report concerns private affairs that do not involve family relationships or marital status.

"Unless you get power from the victim. If you gather kebo, the power is from the family," explained Abdul.

The purpose of the Complaint Room

Abdul explained that the arrangement of kumpul kebo as a delik aduan has the purpose of protecting the right to privacy of every citizen. The state does not immediately enter the realm of one's personal life without a report from the directly harmed party.

However, he emphasized that if there were violations of public order, for example noise, parties that disturbed the environment, or other actions that made residents restless, the public could still report based on the public order rules. The complaint does not utilize the kumpul kebo article, but other more relevant legal provisions.

Kumpul Kebo Related to Other Morality Articles

The article on gathering to discuss has links to other articles in the new Criminal Code which regulate violations of decency. Article 411 regulates sexual intercourse with a person who is not a husband or wife. Meanwhile, Article 413 regulates sexual intercourse with a member of the batih family. All three articles are delicts of complaint, so the principle of reporting by limited parties also applies.

Can the Kumpul Kebo Complaint Be Cancelled?

The new Criminal Code also provides for a non-litigation resolution space. Complaints against the act of gathering can be reconciled, withdrawn, or stopped before the case continues in court. From this provision, we know that law enforcement in the case of gathering is not solely aimed at punishing, but also maintaining a balance between legal norms and privacy protection. Thus, although gathering is currently potentially punishable, not everyone is free to report.

That's the review of who can report kumpul kebo. Hopefully useful. Visit VOI.id for other interesting information.