Changing the criminal code in Indonesia is dangerous for Tourists
2022.12.07 07:30
Changing the criminal code in Indonesia is dangerous for Tourists
Budrigannews.com – Travelers and businesses have expressed concern that Bali’s tourism industry may suffer as a result of Indonesia’s decision to outlaw cohabitation and sex outside of marriage, at a time when the island destination is beginning to recover from the COVID pandemic.
Indonesia this week enacted a number of laws, including morality clauses, as part of an overhaul of its criminal code that has been criticized as a step backwards for the world’s third-largest democracy. These laws include a ban on insulting state institutions and spreading views that are contrary to the country’s secular ideology.
Visitors (NYSE:) businesses were also warned that the new laws could discourage foreign investors from investing in Indonesia.
Wu Bingnan, a 21-year-old Chinese tourist visiting Bali, stated, “I’d think twice about it if I can’t stay with my girlfriend in a hotel together.”
Maulana Yusran, deputy chief of Indonesia’s tourism industry board, has stated that the new regulations are “totally counterproductive,” despite the fact that changes to the criminal code will not take effect for another three years.
Others sought to dispel concerns regarding a morality-related crackdown in Indonesia, a nation of 17,000 islands populated primarily by moderate Muslims.
“The regulation simply makes it clearer than what we have currently, that only certain individuals have the right to file a complaint. Arie Ermawati, manager of Bali’s Oberoi Hotel, stated, “We are not worried and don’t feel that it will impact our business.”
Adultery is currently illegal in Indonesia, but premarital sex is not. According to the new criminal code, only limited parties, such as a spouse, parent, or child, are permitted to report such activity.
By 2025, the tourism association predicted that the number of foreign visitors to Bali would have reached the pre-pandemic level of 6 million.
