Foreign tourists boycott Bali over law banning premarital sex.

Specifically, Indonesia's new bill stipulates that couples are not allowed to spend the night together if they are not married. This law also applies to same-sex couples, whose marriage is not legalized in many countries. Anyone found violating the law will face two penalties: imprisonment for six months or a fine of 10 million IDR (approximately 710 USD).

When asked whether foreign tourists would be arrested if they engaged in sexual activity together, official Teuku Taufiqulhadi replied, "As long as no one finds out, there will be no problem," according to Reuters.

However, tourists seem to sense the bill's potential threats even before it's passed. Elizabeth Travers, manager of a system of 30 villas in Bali, said many guests have canceled reservations. "Customers told me they don't want to come to Bali anymore because they're not married yet." Travers added that if the bill is actually implemented, it will cause serious damage to the tourism industry. That damage could even be greater than that caused by terrorism or volcanic eruptions.

"I understand we're not allowed to hold hands or kiss in sacred places. But I don't want to travel and worry about a perfectly normal action at home potentially causing trouble here. So I'll consider whether or not to return to Bali," Rose Hughes, a British tourist, told the Sydney Morning Herald.

Following strong public and human rights opposition, the Indonesian government has temporarily suspended the bill to review its provisions. President Joko Widodo announced a postponement of the vote on the new bill until October. If passed, the new regulations will be announced within the next two years.

Yuan Bao