During the New Order era (1960s–1980s), the Indonesian government strictly controlled religious symbols, even banning the hijab in state schools as it was viewed as a political symbol imported from the Middle East.
(which often left the hair and neck visible), have largely been replaced by the more standardized , which covers the head, neck, and chest. Sage Journals Current Social Issues and Controversies Socio-Cultural Transformation of Indonesian Muslim Women jilbab mesum 19 exclusive
In 2019, the Wilayatul Hisbah (religious police) intensified raids. Women caught without a jilbab in public were caned publicly. However, the issue is racialized and classist. Non-Muslim tourists and wealthy Chinese-Indonesian visitors are given "exceptions" with a smile and a warning, while local Acehnese poor women are caned for the same offense. During the New Order era (1960s–1980s), the Indonesian
