Indonesian officials have said that tourists will not be charged under the country's controversial new ban on extra-marital sex - even though it will still apply to foreign visitors.
Earlier this month the country's parliament unanimously passed a revision of the country’s penal code which criminalises sex outside of marriage for citizens as well as foreigners.
The controversial laws also prohibit promotion of contraception, such as condoms, and bans defamation of the president and state institutions.
The new laws are set to take effect in three years.
Now, Balinese officials have said that tourists who visit the country do "not need to worry" about the rules.
Balinese governor Wayan Koster said in a statement: "Based on the provisions of the new Indonesian criminal code, visitors who visit or live in Bali would not need to worry."
He also added that there would be "no checks on marital statuses at tourist accommodations like hotels, villas, guest houses or spas, or inspections by public officials or community groups."
Meanwhile the country's Deputy Minister for Law and Human Rights, Edward Omar Sharif Hiariej, told local news: "I want to emphasise for foreign tourists, please come to Indonesia because you will not be charged with this article."
However it's worth noting that even if officials say tourists will not be charged, the law still applies to foreign visitors.
The revision stipulates that complainants in adultery cases must be an immediate family member of either of the two parties. This means only their spouse, parents or children who have been negatively impacted will be able to report them.
So foreign tourists will only end up in Balinese jail if they bring their family members who decide to inform police in Indonesia.
But, single tourists should be more careful when dating Indonesian citizens in case their relatives decide to make an issue out the relationship.
Human rights activists have already slammed the new revisions. while the UN has said that the laws could erode human rights in the country
Meanwhile Andreas Harsono, a senior Indonesia researcher at Human Rights Watch, warned that the law change could deter tourists from visiting.
“The danger of oppressive laws is not that they’ll be broadly applied, it’s that they provide avenue for selective enforcement,” he said.
"Many hotels, including in tourism areas such as Bali and metropolitan Jakarta, will risk losing visitors. These laws let police extort bribes, let officials jail political foes, for instance, with the blasphemy law.
The amended code says sex outside marriage is punishable by a year in jail and cohabitation by six months.
Before travelling or planning a trip always check the Foreign Office's latest Indonesia travel advice which includes any laws and rules you should know before heading abroad.
The advice currently does not include the upcoming ban on extra-marital sex, but the Foreign Office usually updates this one a new rule comes into force.
