Law Enforcement Against Co-Habitare Criminal Acts in Indonesia (Case Study in Namo Bintang Village)

Abstract

The criminal act of co-habitare (cohabitation without marriage, locally known as "kumpul kebo") refers to an act committed by living together in one residence without a legally valid marital bond, and cases of this criminal act are increasingly prevalent in Namo Bintang Village, Pancur Batu Sub-district. The government has enacted Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP), as elaborated in Article 412. This research employs an empirical method, namely by conducting research and data collection in Namo Bintang Village, and the data obtained were analyzed in order to resolve the problems occurring. The factors causing co-habitare criminal acts in Namo Bintang Village are due to many couples who do not understand the applicable law, are not permitted to marry, and are unwilling to enter into a marriage recognized by their religion and administratively acknowledged by the state. The preventive measures undertaken by the village government include socialization regarding the impact and dangers of cohabitation to the local community and newcomers. Should cohabitation crimes become increasingly rampant and cases continue to rise, the village government together with law enforcement, namely the police, take repressive action by investigating and apprehending perpetrators of co-habitare crimes by enforcing the applicable regulations and laws.