Bali governor confirms that ‘sex outside marriage’ ban is not for tourists

Posted by Olerato Ramafsi on 13 December 2022

Bali governor has recently released a statement putting potential tourists at ease after they passed a law banning sex outside marriage.

Indonesia has revised their criminal code but due to its reliance on the lucrative tourism industry, it seems like some rules won’t be applied to visitors to the resort island.

Bali governor Wayan Koster said in a statement on Sunday that people can only be arrested for sex outside of marriage if a parent, spouse, or child complains. A provision was apparently added to ensure ‘everyone’s privacy and comfortableness.’

Wayan insisted that foreign tourists and residents should not be worried about the new legislation and people checking into hotels or tourist accommodations need not worry about their marital status being checked.

The governor also spoke out against fake news which claimed that the island was losing tourism guests due to the new laws and went on to state that data from travel agents and airlines indicates that the number of visitors is set to increase next year.

Bali is a predominately Hindu island in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation.

Tourism groups, like the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies and the Indonesian Hotel & Restaurants Association, have expressed concerns over the law, while Australia, Bali’s biggest source of tourists, has said it is ‘seeking further clarity’ about how its citizens would be affected.

Gary Bowerman, director of Kuala Lumpur-based travel and tourism research firm Check-in Asia, said despite authorities’ assurances, tourism is heavily dependent on perception.

‘That’s why destinations invest millions of dollars on campaigns to promote their attractiveness and uniqueness to visitors. The new criminal code could instil a negative perception, not only fear of personal safety but also for travellers concerned about the rights of local people,’ Bowerman told Al Jazeera. 

‘The important thing to remember is unlike natives, tourists have a choice to go elsewhere if they feel like their needs are not being catered for. This is not a luxury shared by the local people affected by the new criminal code.’

The sex ban follows a sweeping overhaul of Indonesia’s criminal code approved last week by its parliament.

Officials have hailed the passage of the code, which they consider a step to bring the country’s colonial-era laws in line with Indonesian values.

In addition to outlawing sex outside of marriage, the code also bans apostasy and makes it a crime to insult the president, state institutions, the national flag and the state philosophy of Pancasila.

Picture: Getaway Gallery

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ALSO READ: Bali launches “second home visa”, but with a hefty price tag

 






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