In May 2025, Indonesia welcomed 1.31 million international tourists, showcasing its popularity as a travel destination. Source: Getty / picture alliance/dpa/picture alliance via Getty I

Indonesia’s recent changes to its criminal code, enacted by parliament in 2022 and confirmed in November, introduce new penalties for cohabitation, infidelity, and premarital sex.

The revised laws also include prohibitions on black magic, insulting the president or state institutions, spreading ideas contrary to state ideology, and organizing protests without prior notification.

“Hotels or any accommodation facilities serve as secondary homes for tourists. With the new criminal code in place, staying in hotels has become more complicated,” an expert noted.

According to overseas travel data released in September, Indonesia emerged as the top destination for Australians during the 2024-2025 financial year, representing 14.2 percent of all international trips from Australia.

Criminal code faces some local backlash

According to Human Rights Watch, Indonesia has millions of couples without marriage certificates who will be breaking the law, especially Indigenous peoples or Muslims in rural areas who married only using Islamic ceremonies.

Indonesian activists hold up posters during a rally against Indonesia’s new criminal law back in 2022. Source: AP / Slamet Riyadi

Activists and experts have also warned that the complaints process will disproportionately impact women and LGBTIQ+ people, who are more likely to be reported by husbands for adultery or by families for relationships they disapprove of.