DENPASAR, Bali (BPN) – Bali Tourism Office clarifies the controversy over Indonesia’s new Criminal Code after reports in several foreign media stating that tourists coming to Indonesia, especially to Bali, could face imprisonment on adultery article of the new Criminal Code in particular articles 415 and 416.
Head of the Tourism Office Tjok Bagus Pemayun stated that tourists no need to worry about traveling in Bali.
Tjok Bagus explained that Articles 415 and 416 of the Criminal Code are an Absolute Complaint Offense, which means that only husband or wife (for those who are married) or parents or children (for those who are not married) can make complaints.
Other parties cannot report it, so there will be no legal process without complaints from the rightful party, who is directly harmed.
“Tourists who are already in Bali and potential tourists who want to travel to Bali, need not worry because all tourists will still be treated as usual. There will be no sweeping or legal process against tourists as a result of the enactment of this law,” he said at his office, Thursday (12/8/2022).
Tjok Bagus also guarantees that all tourists will remain safe and comfortable while enjoying their vacation in Bali.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Indonesia Hotel Manager Association (IHGMA) Bali Yoga Iswara, added that all hotels in Bali guarantee the confidentiality of tourist data who stays.
And so far hotels in Bali have never questioned and asked about the status of the relationship of a couple staying overnight.
The Chairperson of the Badung PHRI IGAN Rai Suryawijaya said that the current Criminal Code emphasizes something that was previously confusing.
In the past, everyone could report suspected persons, the authorities could carry out sweepings, and community groups could carry out raids.
If that happened in Bali, it would make the situation not conducive since Bali is an international tourist destination, which is visited by millions of people with different cultural backgrounds, customs, and traditions.
 - Bali Tourism Office clarifies the controversy over Indonesia's new Criminal Code after reports in several foreign media stating that tourists coming to Indonesia, especially to Bali, could face imprisonment on adultery article of the new Criminal Code in particular articles 415 and 416.){kind=link}