The Governor of Bali requested tourists to keep visiting the island stating that the new legislation won’t affect them.
Last week, new legislation was passed in the Indonesian parliament effectively prohibiting sex between unmarried couples and also making it illegal for partners to live in without having tied the knot. Sex outside of marriage would lead to one year of prison time while unmarried couples cohabiting could face six months in jail.
This news caused a furor among tourism professionals and tourists alike, as people were perplexed if sharing a hotel room could lead to a possible arrest.
With Bali being a tourist hotspot, its Governor Wayan Koster assured that the new law would not impact travelers.
“Bali is Bali as usual, which is comfortable and safe to be visited… visitors will not be required to prove their marital status when checking into accommodation, and local officials will not carry out checks,” he added.
Indonesia’s Deputy Justice Minister, Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej also echoed a similar sentiment that foreigners won’t be persecuted.
“I want to emphasize for foreign tourists, please come to Indonesia because you will not be charged with this article,” he said.
Also dubbed as the “Bali Bonking Ban”, the new code has been condemned by the United Nations and several other advocacy groups which said that it violates basic human rights and would majorly harm women, religious minorities, and people from the LGBTQ+ community.
