A now infamous new law in Indonesia has criminalised sex outside of marriage and set jail terms for couples sharing a hotel room. With over a million tourists flocking to the Indonesian island of Bali alone each year, this legislation is opening up major questions about the future of tourism.
From 2025 onward, any unmarried couple sharing a home or a bed will face jail terms of up to one year. This is one of a sweeping range of morality and blasphemy laws that have been strongly opposed by the local tourism industries.
Government Declares Exceptions for Tourists
While this round of mortality legislation has created shockwaves around the globe, officials are assuring the international community that tourists will be exempt from the new laws.
“Based on the provisions of the new Indonesian criminal code, visitors who visit or live in Bali would not need to worry.”
Wayan Koster, the governor of Bali said
He added that there will be “no checks on marital statuses at tourist accommodations like hotels, villas, guest houses or spas, or inspections by public officials or community groups.”
“Bali is as usual — comfortable and safe to visit,” Koster claims. “We look forward to welcoming visitors with our Balinese hospitality and advise all parties not to deliver misleading statements regarding the Indonesian criminal code that might disrupt Bali tourism.”
Indonesia’s Privacy Policies for International Visitors
Government official Albert Aries has been doing PR rounds to reassure foreign investors and travelers, saying that they “did not have to worry” about the potential effect of these new laws.
“People’s privacy is still guaranteed by law so there’s really nothing to worry about, ” Aries said. “The new Criminal Code has also never provided additional administrative requirements for business actors in the tourism sector to ask anyone about their marital status.”
A Step Backward for Locals
Despite being protected from jail time, international travellers are looking to Indonesia with a wary eye as activists around the world speak out.
Northeastern University professor and co-founder of the Bersama Project, Indonesian art and culture nonprofit, Rebekah Moore said, “For decades now, Indonesia has enjoyed a reputation as a pluralistic democracy, with very little religious, ethnic, or political conflict, given its size and cultural diversity.”
“The provisions could impact any Indonesian exercising freedom of expression,” Moore said. “I observed firsthand what happens when extremists are emboldened by the political and media mainstream and am deeply concerned for queer and activist friends and others.”
