YAHOO-New laws banning sex outside of marriage will come into effect in Bali in a fortnight. The revision of the criminal code was announced back in 2022 and is finally set to come into effect on January 2, 2026.
Indonesia’s parliament approved a criminal code that bans sex, as well as cohabitation, outside of marriage, and those caught disobeying the rules could face punishment of up to one year in jail.
Aussies are being urged to familiarise themselves with the do’s and don’ts of local laws before heading over.
Advertisement
“If you’re married, authorities can act on a complaint submitted by your spouse. If you’re unmarried, authorities can act on a complaint submitted by your child or parent,” the government’s SmartTraveller website reads.
Indonesia continues to be one of the most popular holiday destinations for Australian travellers — so how will it impact us?
How will the ‘bonking ban’ be enforced in Indonesia?
Travel expert Quentin Long told Yahoo News it’s likely Aussies won’t be impacted by the new rules.
“The law is really dedicated to locals, I don’t envision them [authorities] targeting visitors,” he told Yahoo.
Researcher for Human Rights Watch, Andreas Harsono, echoed this sentiment, saying the new code will threaten “millions” of couples, but in most cases, no action will be taken.
However, he believes police won’t crack down on the new law.
“There are millions of couples in Indonesia who are not legally married,” he told ABC Radio back in 2022, when the laws were announced. “They are juristically threatened by this criminal code, but I don’t think the police or the government will enforce this criminal code against millions.”
The governor of Bali confirmed Mr Harsono’s belief, saying tourists would not have to prove their marital status and authorities would not be checking.
“Bali is Bali as usual, which is comfortable and safe to be visited,” Governor Wayan Koster said at the time.
