Tourists who are visiting Bali don’t have anything to worry about despite the new laws criminalizing unmarried couples. According to a statement issued by the governor, the country will not be policing or checking up the marital statuses of tourists visiting the country.
“Based on the provisions of the new Indonesian criminal code, visitors who visit or live in Bali would not need to worry. No checks on marital statuses at tourist accommodations like hotels, villas, guest houses, spas or inspections of the public official or community groups, said Balinese governor Wayan Koster.
Speculation has been rife that the new criminal code would put foreigners off visiting the island and hurt tourism. Bali’s new code bans adultery, cohabitation before marriage and apostasy and also applies to foreign residents and tourists.
Bali woes
Koster assured international travellers that they would not be impacted by the new laws. He told CNN, “Bali is (business) as usual – comfortable and safe to visit. 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,” he added.
Government representative Albert Aries had also issued a statement earlier to say that foreign investors and tourists do not have to worry as their privacy is still guaranteed by law so they have nothing to worry about.
Indonesians themselves however are worried. “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,” said Rebekah Moore who is a professor at Northeastern University and co-founder of Bersama Project, a non profit organization for Indonesian arts and culture.
Moore said that many groups such as activists, journalists, religious minorities and members of the queer community are at risk of being harmed by this code.
“The provisions could impact any Indonesian exercising freedom of expression. I observed firsthand what happens when extremists (in Indonesia) are emboldened by the political and media mainstream and am deeply concerned for queer and activist friends and others,” said Moore.