DENPASAR, BALIPOST.com – The stipulation of the Criminal Code (KUHP) has not only reaped contra opinion from within Indonesia, it has also been widely discussed abroad. The issue of the Criminal Code is especially widespread in Australia, which is the largest contributor to foreign tourists to Bali.
Even many media in Australia dubbed this issue as “Bali bonk ban”. A number of media in Australia are reporting on the Criminal Code because it is considered that it could make tourists reluctant to go to Indonesia, in this case Bali. Because they are afraid of being caught by the law for having sexual relations outside of marriage. In the recently passed Criminal Code, the prohibition is contained in articles 415 and 416, concerning Adultery and Cohabitation.
Against this quite serious counter reaction, Head of the Bali Provincial Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun emphasized that all existing and potential tourists who wish to travel to Bali need not worry about the Criminal Code. Because all tourists will continue to be treated as usual.
“There will be no sweeping or legal action against tourists as a result of the enactment of the law,” he said.
Tjok Bagus also guarantees that all tourists will remain safe and comfortable while enjoying their holidays in Bali. Tjok Bagus explained that the recently ratified articles 415 and 416 of the Criminal Code contained a complaint offense.
So criminal action only applies if there are parties who report. And even that should not be done by just anyone. Reports may only be made by husbands or wives for those who are legally married or by parents for those who are still single.
Precisely with the existence of the Criminal Code, he considered, everything would be more conducive, because there would be no vigilante actions carried out by irresponsible elements. “Therefore, once again I convey, so that all tourists and potential tourists who want to take a vacation to Bali need not feel afraid, because Bali is still safe, Bali is still comfortable. Come to Bali, we are waiting for your arrival in Bali, welcome back to Bali,” he ensured, Thursday (8/12).
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the Indonesia Hotel Manager Association (IHGMA) Bali, Yoga Iswara added that all hotels in Bali guarantee the confidentiality of tourist data staying overnight. Moreover, so far hotels in Bali have never questioned and asked about relationship status, if a tourist couple is staying overnight. All will be treated special, as befits tourists.
A similar opinion was also conveyed by the Chairman of PHRI Badung, IGAN Rai Suryawijaya. It is 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 actually make the situation not conducive, because Bali is an international tourist destination visited by millions of people with different cultural backgrounds, customs and traditions. (Diah Dewi/Winatha/balipost)
