Bali Governor Wayan Koster has stated unequivocally that the resort island is still “comfortable” and “safe” to visit.
In a statement obtained by Coconuts today, Koster said that his government “will not check on marital status upon check-in at any tourism accommodations” such as hotels, villas, guesthouses, or spas.
He also assured that neither government officials nor community groups would conduct “inspections” or “sweeping” to determine the marital status of tourists.
“[We] guarantee the confidentiality of visitors’ personal data during their stay,” he said, adding, “We look forward [to] welcoming visitors with Balinese hospitality.”
Although adultery and extramarital sex are crimes punishable by up to one year in prison under the new criminal code, which also applies to foreigners, only immediate family members (spouses, parents, or children) who might be harmed by adultery or extramarital sex can report adulterers for this crime.
So the only way two unmarried visitors could break the law is if they bring their families and one of their family members decides to report them to Indonesian authorities.
Another, somewhat more plausible but still unusual situation would be that a foreign tourist has sex with an Indonesian, and their immediate relatives report them.
Under the new penal code, cohabitation is now a crime punishable by up to six months in prison. However, only immediate family members who have been harmed by the offender’s cohabitation can denounce the offender for this violation of the law.
Governor Koster called news reports of visitors canceling flights and hotel reservations because they are afraid of being jailed for having extramarital sex a “hoax” and cited statistics from travel agencies and tour operators that prove otherwise.
“All parties are advised to be wise and not deliver any misleading statements that would stir up the situation regarding the enactment of the Indonesian Criminal Code because it might disrupt Bali tourism,” he added.