German Tourists Reprimanded for Wearing Bikinis on Aceh Beach

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Two German tourists have stirred up trouble by bathing at Ujong Blang Beach, Lhokseumawe wearing only bikinis.

Chief of Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) and sharia police (wilayatul hisbah) of Lhokseumawe City M. Irsyadi on Tuesday told reporters that Andre Brun and Dominika Lzastkova, both from Germany, have violated Sharia law for wearing “indecent dress” in public.

He said that a resident was the first to spot a couple of foreign tourists bathing at Ujong Blang Beach on Tuesday afternoon.

“Having received reports from residents, we rushed to the scene, but the two tourists had already put their clothes back on. Wearing a bikini when bathing in a beach clearly violates Regulation (Qanun) No.11/2002 on Religious Outreach, Prayers and Islamic Belief,” he said.

Authorities then took the tourists to Satpol PP office. “To be reminded that it is not allowed to wear panties when bathing in public spaces in Aceh, because Aceh applies Sharia law,” he said.

Both tourists told authorities that they were unaware of the implementation of Sharia law in Aceh. They also said that they would adhere to the applicable regulations in Aceh, particularly on dress code.

Having been reprimanded and informed about the local bylaw, they both went back to their inn, Irsyadi said.

BISNIS.COM