Indonesian cleric arrested over underage marriage

Mar 18, 2009, 7:00 GMT

   Jakarta - Police arrested a Muslim cleric in Indonesia's Central Java province for marrying a 12-year-old girl in violation of the country's child-protection law, an officer said Wednesday.

   Pujiono Cahyo Widianto, 43, revealed in August that he had taken a 12-year-old girl as a second wife in a traditional Islamic wedding ceremony, sparking criticism from child-protection groups.

   Police in Semarang, the capital of Central Java, said they had charged Pujiono with sexual exploitation of a child.

   The country's child-protection law defines children as people under 18.

   'The maximum jail term for such an offense is 15 years,' said Roy Hardi Siahaan, chief detective for the local police.

   Pujiono has defended his action, saying he would not consummate the marriage until the girl reaches puberty.

   Child rights activists have accused Pujiono of paedophilia and of depriving the girl of an education.

   Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni also condemned the marriage and demanded it be cancelled.

   About 85 per cent of Indonesia's 230 million people are Muslim. The country's marriage laws allow polygamy with strict conditions, including permission from the first wife.