New Indonesia laws will not pose any risk to visitors, says Bali Governor

As per the latest reports, visitors to Bali will not face any risk because of Indonesia’s newly ratified criminal code. The island’s Governor stated this while dismissing concerns about revising laws which include articles criminalising sex outside marriage, and which might scare away tourists from its shores.

As reported earlier, Indonesia’s parliament passed the controversial bill last week that also prohibits cohabitation between unmarried couples.
Regarding this, Bali Governor Wayan Koster issued a statement recently noting that the new laws, which will come into effect in three years, could only be prosecuted if there was a complaint by a parent, spouse or child.

He added, as such those who visit or live in Bali will not need to worry with regard to Indonesian Criminal Code.
The Governor further informed that the provisions in the criminal code on this issue had already been altered from an earlier, stricter version, which would provide a better guarantee of everyone’s privacy and comfort.

The Bali Government also ensured that there will be no checking on marital status upon check-in at any tourism accommodation, such as villas, hotels, guest houses, apartments, lodges and spas.

He also denied what he said were ‘hoax’ reports of cancellations of flights and hotel room bookings, adding that data from travel agents, tour and accommodation operators, as well as airlines, showed the number of people all set to visit Bali from December 2022 to March 2023 has increased.