Indonesia tourists may be affected by the extramarital sex-ban

Concern raised over Indonesia's recently passed legislation criminalizing extramarital sex, with many governments fearing for their nationals who travel there frequently. There are 624 articles and 37 chapters in the recently passed criminal code. At least three years after its passage, in 2025, it will go into effect. The president must still sign off on the code.

The legislation also makes "defamation" of the president and state institutions illegal and broadens the definition of blasphemy in addition to punishing sex and cohabitation outside of marriage with jail term. Because it pertains to "everyone," there is also worry that it will have an impact on foreign visitors.

As the new law would not take into effect for another three years, the Australian government stated that it was looking for "additional clarity" on it. According to a spokesman for foreign affairs, Australian officials will evaluate any potential concerns that the new legislation would present to Australians living abroad.

As of yet, Indonesian authorities have emphasized that the regulation won't have an impact on visitors from other countries. According to drafts that were leaked to the media, punishment would only occur if people engaged in extramarital sex were reported by close relatives. However, numerous human rights advocates have cautioned that if a foreigner has a connection with a local, they may be in violation of the law. The new criminal law is fundamentally applicable to both the nation and its citizens.