The parliament of the island state of Indonesia passed a new law on Tuesday. Anyone who has sex before marriage or cheats outside of marriage can be sentenced to up to one year in prison. But the law doesn’t just prohibit sex between unmarried people. It also prohibits couples from living together before marriage.
Indonesia is the country with the largest share of the world’s Muslim population. At the same time, there are some popular tourist destinations such as Bali, Java or Sumatra in the archipelago. The Swiss travel providers have therefore already thought about the possible consequences for tourism. “It will be our job to inform customers about this,” says Hotelplan spokeswoman Bianca Gähweiler to Blick.
Implementation only in 2025
Can unmarried tourists in Bali still stay together in a hotel room? So far, the ban on sex outside marriage has not raised concerns among Swiss customers. “The law should not be introduced until 2025,” says Gähweiler. “Until now, our customers have not thought about it, as most of them are not planning their holidays for 2025 yet.”
Gähweiler cannot yet say whether and to what extent the issue will affect tourism. “Not enough is known about how the law will ultimately be interpreted.”
Family member must report
Kuoni spokesman Markus Flick regrets Indonesia’s step back from a liberal point of view. But he remains calm about possible consequences for business: “We do not expect any effects on tourism. The law is designed in such a way that a family member must file a complaint so that the authorities can take action,” explains Flick. “Tourists will not be affected by it. Privacy – in hotel rooms, for example – is also legally protected in Indonesia.”
Indonesia is heavily influenced by conservative Islam. However, Islam is not the state religion. Until now, extramarital sex and homosexual relations were not considered criminal offenses in Indonesia, but both are considered taboo. An exception is the province of Aceh in the northwest of the island of Sumatra. The Islamic legal system of Sharia applies there. There is a fine of up to 100 lashes for sex outside marriage.
George Nopper
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
