Indonesia toughens its punishments for child rapists

Previously, the maximum sentence for rape in Indonesia, of either an adult or a child, was 14 years in jail.

The decision to include harsher penalties follows outrage over several recent rape incidents in the country, including the gang-rape and murder of a 14-year-old girl.

President Joko Widodo said the regulation was "intended to overcome the crisis caused by sexual violence against children".

People jailed for sexual offences against children may also now be made to wear electronic monitoring devices after their release.

The case of Yuyun, the murdered schoolgirl in Sumatra, prompted widespread public anger which only grew as news of other brutal attacks came to light, including local media reports of the gang-rape and murder of an 18-year-old factory worker in Banten province.

The new rules were introduced by emergency presidential decree and are in effect immediately, but could be overturned by parliament at a later date.

"An extraordinary crime deserves an exceptional response", Widodo said.