New Indonesian law posses no risk to visitors – Bali Governor 

Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster has said that visitors to Bali will not be put at risk by Indonesia’s newly ratified criminal code, dismissing concerns that revised laws which include articles criminalising sex outside marriage may scare away tourists from its shores.

Indonesia’s parliament last week passed the controversial bill that also prohibits cohabitation between unmarried couples.

Seeking to reassure visitors, he noted that the new laws which come into effect in three years could only be prosecuted if there was a complaint by a parent, spouse or child.

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“Those who visit or live in Bali would not need to worry with regard to the entry into force of the Indonesian Criminal Code, Wayan said.

The governor said provisions in the criminal code on this issue had been altered from an earlier, stricter version so as “would provide a better guarantee of everyone’s privacy and comfortableness.”

Bali’s government would ensure “there will be no checking on marital status upon check-in at any tourism accommodation, such as hotels, villas, apartments, guest houses, lodges and spas,” Wayan said.

Reuters/Felicia Kolo