Bali Urges Tourists Not to Worry About Revised Criminal Code

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The ratification of the revised Criminal Code, or KUHP, is still causing controversy and concern. One of them is related to the visit of foreign tourists to Bali.

It is feared that a number of provisions in the new law will discourage tourists from visiting Bali for fear of criminal sanctions as it contains criminal offenses against sex outside of marriage and cohabitation.

Responding to this, the Head of the Bali Tourism Office, Tjokorda Bagus Pemayun, said that foreign tourists should not hesitate to visit the Island. 

"Don't worry because based on our discussions with various hotel and tourism associations, hotels will not ask about marital status (documentation)," he said. "When people arrive at a hotel, they come to relax. They will be treated as they are now (without checking their marital status)."

Bali Travel Company Association (Asita) Chairperson Putu Winastra said that the Criminal Code does not need to be fussed over, “I'm sure the hotel will never ask for your marriage certificate. Whether you are married or not, they will never ask you because it's a personal matter."

Australia issues travel advice

Tourists from Australia made up the largest group of foreign travelers to Bali with around one million visits annually before the pandemic.

"The Indonesian parliament has passed a revision of the penal code, which includes penalties for cohabitation and sex outside of marriage," said the update uploaded on the Smart Traveler website, as reported by news.com.au, Thursday, December 8.

CNA | REUTERS | BISNIS.COM

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