Bali bonk prohibition poses no harm to tourists

• Tourists don’t need to worry about the prohibition of sex outside of marriage.
• Governor dismisses concerns that Indonesia’s amended criminal code could hurt the island’s tourism business.
• The law ascertains everyone’s privacy and comfort.

Bali’s governor said visitors need not worry about a prohibition on sex outside of marriage, dismissing concerns that Indonesia’s amended criminal code could hurt the island’s tourism business.

People can only be prosecuted for sex outside of marriage if a parent, spouse, or kid complains, a clause inserted into a stricter draft of the law to safeguard “everyone’s privacy and comfort.”

Wayan said foreign tourists and locals “need not worry” about the updated rules and authorities won’t examine guests’ marital status.

The governor also criticized “hoax” claims of travelers canceling flights and hotel bookings and warned against “misleading statements that would stir up the situation,” saying travel agent and airline data indicates the number of tourists will increase next year.

Bali, a predominantly Hindu island in the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, wants to entice tourists after the COVID-19 pandemic slashed arrivals from 6.3 million in 2019 to hundreds in 2021.

Tourism groups, including the Association of Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies and the Indonesian Hotel & Restaurant Association, have expressed worries about the rule. Australia, the largest source of international tourists, is “seeking greater clarity” about how its residents could be affected.

Gary Bowerman, head of Kuala Lumpur’s Check-in Asia, said tourism is mainly dependent on impressions despite authorities’ assurances.

“Destinations spend millions to showcase their beauty and distinctiveness to tourists. Bowerman told Al Jazeera that the new criminal law could cause worry for personal safety and locals’ rights.

“Tourists have options. If they don’t like the new criminal code, they can plan another trip. Locals affected by the new criminal code don’t have this privilege.

The sex ban follows last week’s parliamentary reform of Indonesia’s penal code.

Officials have lauded the approval of the code as a step to put colonial-era legislation “in line with Indonesian ideals.”

UN, human rights groups, and press freedom supporters say the code violates human rights and will disproportionately hurt women, religious minorities, and LGBTQ people.

The code also outlaws apostasy and insults the president, state institutions, the flag, and Pancasila.

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