TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno rebutted a rumor that Australia had issued a travel warning for Indonesia after the revised criminal code was passed. Sandiaga stated that Australia’s response was only a piece of travel advice.

"We have coordinated with the ambassador and earlier it was clarified by the foreign minister that what they conveyed was not a travel warning, but information about the development of the criminal code, and it has been clarified," said Sandiaga at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday, December 19, 2022.

Australia, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, updated travel advice for its citizens traveling to Indonesia after the ratification of the revised criminal code. Under the new law, cohabitation and sex outside marriage will be punishable.

Many parties expressed concern about these articles as they could disrupt the tourism climate and investment.

Sandiaga also said that his side would continue to disseminate the new law to foreign tourists. “We ensure that we will protect the private matters of Australian tourists and that their tourism activities will run comfortably,” the minister pledged.

Sandiaga Uno acknowledged that many parties were worried about Indonesia’s criminal code. Sandiaga also emphasized that no tourist trips were canceled due to the new law.

ANTARA