Bali’s Sex Ban Outside Marriage Won’t Affect Tourism Officials Say

[webfact]

 

By Joe Cusmano
TD Guest Writer

Guest Writers are not employed, compensated or governed by TD, opinions and statements are from the specific writer directly

Authorities have confirmed that international tourists to Bali would not be affected by Indonesia’s contentious sex laws.

 

According to Balinese governor Wayan Koster, “based on the provisions of the new Indonesian criminal code, visitors who visit Bali would not need to worry.” This is because “no checks on marital statuses at tourist accommodations like hotels, villas, guest houses, or spas,” nor inspections by public officials or community groups will be conducted.

 

The global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic caused severe economic devastation in several popular tourist destinations, including Bali.

 

After the pandemic’s initial wave of fear subsided, tourists from across the world began returning to the island’s popular resorts, despite initial concerns that the country’s new criminal law would discourage tourists and harm the country’s international reputation.

 

Full story: https://www.traveldailymedia.com/balis-sex-ban-outside-marriage-wont-affect-tourism-officials-say/

 

-- © Copyright Travel Daily 2022-12-17

 

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According to Balinese governor Wayan Koster, “based on the provisions of the new Indonesian criminal code, visitors who visit Bali would not need to worry.” This is because “no checks on marital statuses at tourist accommodations like hotels, villas, guest houses, or spas,” nor inspections by public officials or community groups will be conducted.

 

I'm betting that there will soon be lots of locals patronizing "accommodations like hotels, villas, guest houses, or spas."

[JayClay]

3 hours ago, webfact said:

According to Balinese governor Wayan Koster, “based on the provisions of the new Indonesian criminal code, visitors who visit Bali would not need to worry.” This is because “no checks on marital statuses at tourist accommodations like hotels, villas, guest houses, or spas,” nor inspections by public officials or community groups will be conducted

Am I reading this correctly? Is the governor basically saying "it's okay to break the law because you'll be able to get away with it"?

[Jerno]

Such a retarded law. 'Nuff said.

[Hanuman2547]

It's good that tourists will not have to worry about this when traveling in the country.  A lot of unmarried, but living together for X numbers of years, would be in jeopardy of violating their laws.  There are also a lot of married people that don't change their last names but are legally married and don't carry around their marriage certificate.  A really poorly planned law.

[AhFarangJa]

Such an archaic, backward state of affairs. I have no intention of travelling there, but if I was in the market for a holiday I would boycott the place.

[topt]

It is not mentioned in the report but in the original news items I read does the law not say something about can only be reported by a parent or similar?

Yes here is one quote - https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-06/indonesia-bans-cohabitation-between-unmarried-couples/101739410

Quote

Couples can only be prosecuted if they are reported by a spouse, parents or their children.

So if not officially divorced and going away with a new romantic interest and the other partner is aware (and bears a grudge) they could presumably cause you a world of pain......

[Smokey and the Bandit]

5 hours ago, JayClay said:

Am I reading this correctly? Is the governor basically saying "it's okay to break the law because you'll be able to get away with it"?

Basically yes, anyway people will just ignore it?

[JayClay]

18 minutes ago, Smokey and the Bandit said:

Basically yes, anyway people will just ignore it?

Sure. But for me there's a difference between individuals ignoring a law, and a government official saying "this particular law will be easy for you to get away with".

[RichardColeman]

Never trust a muslim based government. never works out well in the end

[Lee65]

So what happens when inevitably some local police officer or governor doesn't get, or disregards, the memo to 'ignore foreigners breaking the law'?

 

On the bright side, this is another reason to not revisit Indonesia.  ????

[2009]

Pity, Indonesia women are dynamite in bed.

[2009]

15 minutes ago, RichardColeman said:

Never trust a muslim based government. never works out well in the end

I don't trust anything in Asia.

[Purdey]

I do not trust Muslim governments. The Taliban promised girls would continue to receive education.

 

Words on the wind.

 

If passport surnames don't match does it mean you aren't married? Some women keep their original family name.

Do you have to carry a marriage certificate always? How many carry a marriage certificate on holiday?

Yes, officials may say the law doesn't affect foreigners.

 

Just to be safe, better not visit anywhere in Indonesia where fanatics will piously report you regardless of their relationship to you and you will get caned.

[digger70]

Just about as bad as Thailand . Making Laws and don't worry about them.

How stupid is that. Why  in Satans name make Laws if No one cares/worries about them ,not even the cops and the government.

[Mickeymaus]

Correct me if I am wrong. The only sex residents can have before marriage is with foreigners or how? All the horny ladies there... Will look for a flight to Bali. 

[MrJ2U]

Many tourist operators must be scratching there heads on the Indonesians government's decisions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[rwill]

Fortunately my hand and I have the same last name.

[2009]

2 hours ago, Purdey said:

I do not trust Muslim governments. The Taliban promised girls would continue to receive education.

 

Words on the wind.

 

If passport surnames don't match does it mean you aren't married? Some women keep their original family name.

Do you have to carry a marriage certificate always? How many carry a marriage certificate on holiday?

Yes, officials may say the law doesn't affect foreigners.

 

Just to be safe, better not visit anywhere in Indonesia where fanatics will piously report you regardless of their relationship to you and you will get caned.

Exactly.

 

<deleted> em.

 

Who do you they think they are?

 

You can visit a number of other countries in the world ????

[bangon04]

Hands up - who wants to be a test case?  If one of the hotel staff maybe hates (non-Muslim)  Farang.....  

[The Theory]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

Authorities have confirmed that international tourists to Bali would not be affected by Indonesia’s contentious sex laws.

 

????????????

Rrrrrrrright ????

tourists will pay for this. Good source of cash. 

[Scott]

It's probably best for government to stay out of people's bedroom.  I can imagine how it will work out when a gay, married couple gets reported.  Or an Indonesian national is having a fling with a foreign national?

 

 

[Jingthing]

10 hours ago, AhFarangJa said:

Such an archaic, backward state of affairs. I have no intention of travelling there, but if I was in the market for a holiday I would boycott the place.

Or girlcott it, as it were.

[BangkokReady]

15 hours ago, JayClay said:

Am I reading this correctly? Is the governor basically saying "it's okay to break the law because you'll be able to get away with it"?

I think it's more "we won't be enforcing this law on tourists so please come/cum".

[Jingthing]

Are they saying they won't bother Indonesian sex partners of tourists (also expats?) or not? Seems foggy to me. 

[still kicking]

8 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Never trust a muslim based government. never works out well in the end

Bali is Hindi mostly 

[richard_smith237]

2 hours ago, still kicking said:

11 hours ago, RichardColeman said:

Never trust a muslim based government. never works out well in the end

Bali is Hindi mostly

And the Indonesian government is mostly ???????…..   erm…..

This is a shariafication and a puritanical step backwards…. Kind of like the thin end of the wedge towards an authoritarian Ayatollah-like governance. 
 

Potentially frightening stuff really when such laws are even considered pet alone passed. 

 

 

[still kicking]

Yes, I know what you mean but it will not affect the Tourist from the west 

[richard_smith237]

9 hours ago, Purdey said:

Do you have to carry a marriage certificate always? How many carry a marriage certificate on holiday?

A digital copy is available online (Dropbox).

& yes, in the Middle East, we have in the past but don’t bother any more. 
 

Its a invasive puritanical & stupid rule which highlights how backwards some of these countries are even before scratching the surface. 

[richard_smith237]

6 minutes ago, still kicking said:

Yes, I know what you mean but it will not affect the Tourist from the west 

You mean it will be selectively unenforced ?…..

 

I’d think so too, but always a worry giving authorities an upper hand for them to apply on a whim or a crack-down…..

 

Its not the law itself which is concerning here, as that is almost impossible to enforce….
It is the how this seemingly innocuous issue is handled and how such policies place the finger on the pulse of opinion & underlying attitudes which draws concern. 

Edited December 17, 2022 by richard_smith237