Farewell to Bali ?

Bali is undoubtedly Australia's favourite holiday destination.  It is close to our north and only a cheap air fare away and so over a million Australians holiday there every year.  The Indonesians are intolerant of illicit drugs but otherwise it is a freewheeling island and the tourist trade is an important cog in the Indonesian economy.

The main religion in Indonesia is Islam and lately Islam has been taking a stronger hold in the political spectrum.  Some parts of Indonesia are ruled under Sharia law and new laws being considered by the parliament could have a dramatic impact on Australian visitors.

One such law that seems likely to gain assent would make it a crime for unmarried couples to engage in sex.  That would be punished by a prison term that could range to either six months or a year behind bars.  If this is applied to tourists it could mean any couple sharing accommodation in Bali would need to pack their marriage certificate to avoid summary arrest.  According to the proposed wording, sharing a room together is regarded as synonymous with sex.

Such a requirement would seem prudish in modern day Australia.  Wedlock is no longer fashionable and many couples live together without the blessings of a church.  Quite a high proportion of couples taking a holiday together are unmarried and accept their right to having sex together as a custom protected by the laws in force in Australia.

In some Muslim countries the moral laws are enforced by the dreaded " vice police " who also check that attire meets the required religious standards.  Fortunately, there are many laws in Indonesia that are not actively enforced and we will need to wait and see what emerges when the parliament deals with this law change.

Unmarried couples would be wary about visiting Indonesia if this law makes it onto the law books.  It could open the door to entrapment.  Corrupt police could accuse couples innocently holidaying together of breaching the sex law and seek bribes.  It would certainly represent danger to any couple who were not legally married, and who could not produce the necessary marriage certificate,

This law against unmarried sex is embedded in a raft of new law provisions.   It will also be unlawful to criticise the Indonesian presidcent, or espouse Communist ideology.  It will be a crime to display or provide contraception to minors and new regulations will outlaw the spreading of fake news, bestiality or details about the use of black magic.

Of course, these new laws will apply to the rest of the world, not only Australia and there is every chance that if they are applied the tourist trade that keeps the Indonesian economy afloat may vanish. That is a a good reason why the island of Bali may be exempt from what is practised in the rest of Indonesia,but an unenforced law would still be a threat that would make wise people hesitate to chance a visit.

If Bali cuts its own throat with an unacceptable law it delivers a tempting opportunity for other south Pacific countries to step into that gap.  In an era where interest on savings is lacking there would be no impediment to finance to create the infrastructure of a new tourist hub around golden beaches somewhere else, and that is something the Indonesian parliament may ponder when they consider this law change  !