Foreign tourists are expected not to hesitate to visit Indonesia as their privacy, comfort and security are guaranteed during their sojourns in this biggest archipelagic country in the world.  

Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno asked tourists, especially foreign holidaymakers, not to hesitate to visit Indonesia, because nothing has changed in the tourism industry system in this world's largest archipelagic nation.

"Nothing has changed in the current tourism industry system. Our focus is to continue to improve the quality and sustainable tourism," Sandiaga Uno, who is also Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency, said in his statement in Jakarta, Friday (Dec. 9).

The minister emphasized that the Indonesian government sticks to the guidelines that the private domain of the public, including foreign tourists, will remain guaranteed during their sojourns in Indonesia.

Regarding the adoption of the Draft Criminal Code by the House of Representatives (DPR) recently, Sandiaga said, this is a manifestation of the functioning of a constitutional state system whose main objective is to protect the people of Indonesia, and this new regulation shall take effect three years after the endorsement.

In fact, there are no substantive changes related to this article when compared to the old Article 284 of the Criminal Code regarding adultery. The difference lies only in the addition of parties entitled to complain. The threat of new penalties can apply if there are parties who complain or in other words complaint offenses.

This rule stipulates that the party who can complain is a husband or a wife who is bound by marriage. Without complaints by legal persons, no party has the right to take legal action.

Currently the government together with relevant stakeholders are preparing detailed rules and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for tourism activities that can ensure the safety and comfort of tourists.

In addition, promotion continues to be carried out not only to the tourism industry but also to domestic tourists and foreign tourists so that there are no misinterpretations or misunderstandings about this Criminal Code.

"The Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy assures all tourists who want to visit, not to hesitate to have vacations and carry out tourism activities in Indonesia. The constitution that applies in Indonesia will still guarantee the privacy of the public and all visiting tourists," the minister said.

Articles related to adultery and cohabitation (regarding living in the same house without marriage) are also complaint offenses, so in practice they do not directly affect all visiting tourists, he added.

Enhance promotion

Sandiaga said that his party continues to strengthen coordination with relevant stakeholders to continue promoting the new law which will be effective within the next three years, namely in 2025, especially for market countries of foreign tourists, so that it does not make them hesitate to visit Indonesia.

"The hospitality industry has been briefed and we will deal with any potential misunderstandings. Hotels ensure that it always guarantees the confidentiality of the data of tourists who stay overnight," Sandiaga noted.

"Tourists are expected not to hesitate to continue visiting to enjoy the beauty of nature, cultural diversity and the friendliness of the people. The tourism industry really respects private things responsibly," Sandiaga explained.

Reporting by Indonesia Window