Bali is a popular tourist destination, particularly for Australians, even though it has sustained several jihad attacks, prompting Australia and New Zealand to issue travel advisories. Now, an additional threat looms for Western tourists who travel not only to Bali, but to all of Indonesia. Sharia enforcement has been expanding in that country. And now, a “dangerous” petition has been brought before the Constitutional Court of Indonesia to criminalize sex outside of marriage and same-sex relationships.
Since Bali is a popular destination for Australians, Human Rights Watch Indonesian researcher Andreas Harsono cautioned that “this meant Australians visiting Bali….could in theory find themselves committing a crime or offence if the petition becomes law nationally through an act of parliament.”
If this petition becomes law, it will bear other implications for Western tourists to Indonesia, since it has frequently been the case that expanding Sharia leads to vigilante Sharia patrols that terrorize non-conformists.
Indonesia has seen a “dramatic rise in recent months of intolerance of minorities including Christians, gay and lesbian people, women and even other Muslim groups,” all in keeping with the expanded influence of Sharia.
“Indonesian petition: ‘Dangerous’ law push could affect Australians”, News.com.Au, by Debra Killalea, September 24, 2017:
A PETITION intended to target same-sex relationships in Indonesia could have a huge impact on Australians visiting the tourist hotspot of Bali.
The petition, which was been put before Indonesia’s Constitutional Court this year, proposes amending the criminal code to criminalise sex outside of marriage as well as same-sex relations.
If the petition does become law across Indonesia it could have huge ramifications for Australian tourists and visitors to the Asian nation.
Human Rights Watch Indonesian researcher Andreas Harsono told news.com.au the petition and the thinking behind it was dangerous.
He said it also further fuelled discrimination towards the LGBTI community.
The petition, led by conservative group the Family Love Alliance, “put forward ill-informed and bigoted testimony similar to the anti-LGBT rhetoric espoused by Indonesian officials and politicians earlier this year,” Human Rights Watch said.
Mr Harsono, who was in Australia this week, said while the court’s decision didn’t make this petition legally enforceable, it had the potential to affect both heterosexual and homosexual couples.
Mr Harsono said this meant Australians visiting Bali, for example, could in theory find themselves committing a crime or offence if the petition becomes law nationally through an act of parliament.
“The group behind this petition want to make consensual relationships outside marriage illegal,” he said.
“If it becomes a national law, Australians could be punished. We’re now waiting for the verdict.“If it is to materialise, it will be used to charge same-sex couples indeed. It will be a crime.”
Mr Harsono said he believed the petition intended to target the LGBTI community in particular because homosexuality was “not accepted” in Indonesia.
While same-sex relations are not technically illegal, except in the province of Banda Aceh, gay, lesbian and transgender Indonesians suffer huge discrimination across the country, Mr Harsono said.
He said some conservative Muslims viewed it as unnatural and as a mental illness.
“They believe if they accept it in their society, God’s anger will be on them,” he said.
Mr Harsono said there has been a dramatic rise in recent months of intolerance of minorities including Christians, gay and lesbian people, women and even other Muslim groups.
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has failed to speak out against statements and policies by senior government and military officials that have fuelled hate and violations of the country’s LGBTI community, Human Rights Watch said.
INTOLERANCE SURGE
Indonesia’s Aceh Province, on the northern tip of Sumatra island, is among the only place in the Muslim-majority country which implements the strict version of Sharia Law.
Under this law crimes including homosexuality and sex outside marriage are severely punished.According to the Wall Street Journal, Indonesia has long been a bastion of moderate Islam, however hard-line Muslim groups have made recent inroads across the country, threatening its religious tolerance.
One group known as FPI is pushing to promote a stricter version of Islam across Indonesia and want to see sharia law become a model for the rest of Indonesia.
Just this month, a raid in the West Java province targeted 12 suspected lesbians.Local Islamic youth groups and religious leaders complained the women’s cohabitation was “against the teachings of Islam.”
Human Rights Watch said the forced evictions violated the women’s right to privacy and police demanded the women relocate elsewhere with no legal justification…..
Peter Buckley says
“Indonesia has seen a “dramatic rise in recent months of intolerance of minorities including Christians, gay and lesbian people, women and even other Muslim groups,” all in keeping with the expanded influence of Sharia.”
Well;, let’s hope these devout muslims get their way, and the petition is successful. This will merely accelerate the exodus from Islam:
http://thepoliticalinformer.com/where-indonesias-muslims-are-headed-in-the-next-22-years/
rubiconcrest says
The link is very encouraging. Perhaps good advise for the Norwegians who want reduce extremism – hold church services on Fridays, appeal to the young and what they want to achieve in life.
gravenimage says
The idea that Islam being enforced more vigorously will lead to Muslims leaving Islam–especially given the death penalty for apostasy–is rather questionable, I’m afraid.
Ned Kelly says
There will be NO exodus, as leaving Islam is punishable by death.
gravenimage says
There *have* been some Muslims leaving Islam, which I am glad to see–but I do not believe we can hope for some sort of mass apostasy.
Save Europe says
You’re correct, and anyone who tells you otherwise is very much off the ‘mark.’ There will never be some mass apostasy movement. The ones who claim to be moderates, are only faithful to the pre-Medina segment of the Quran. They decry ISIS as non Muslims who are faithful to the post Mecca segment of the Quran. Go figure!?!
marina says
Australians should avoid Bali. Indonesia doesn’t deserve any tourist money.There are other beautiful Pacific islands to visit safely.
gravenimage says
I feel bad for Hindus on Bali, though. Their culture is what makes Bali a destination in the first place. It is much more beautiful and nicer–and safer–than the majority-Muslim parts of Indonesia, which is most of it.
Richard D. Smith says
If this petition is acted upon and put into law is a very big “if.” Indonesia still is a secular democracy, and its government is pushing back — as much as it can legally and constititionally — against extremist Islamist groups (having already outlawed several terrorist organization).
I’ve visited Indonesia, and I strongly recommend it to others. It has deep history, stunning natural history and lovely resorts, a vibrant economy, and an industrious population that overwhelming likes Westerners — especially Americans.
All this — please note — in the largest Muslim nation in the world by population.
Jaladhi says
Stay away from all Muslim countries. Period. They should not benefit from our tourist dollars. Once this source of revenue is cut off or significantly reduced they will know how sharia law passing will affect them!
gravenimage says
Richard, Jihad and the enforcement of Shari’ah is burgeoning in Indonesia.
Things are more and more dangerous for Christians and Chinese there, and child marriage are rife. Aceh even has *stonings* on the books. Surely these are not things you approve of?
No Fear says
The HIV rate in Indonesia is 0.47 percent. In Australia it is 0.17 percent. Obviously those Islamophobes in Australia are being punished by Allah! (sarc)
Robin Phillips says
I live part time in Indonesia. Its a wonderful country. Ache has militant bullies in charge but even up north people are getting bored with them. I have two boys at college/university, they pray five times a day but its habit not jihadism.My wife is the same. Very few people have time for these regressive idiots. Just as in the EU,UK,USA, there are small groups making as much noise as they can to support Daesh and similar retards. They are in Indonesia laughed at and/or avoided. Bali is beautiful and if you have the chance go visit. There have not been “several” terrorist attacks in Bali, only two and those responsible have been tried, found guilty and shot! And yes, Indonesians love “Bule”, and we should encourage them to be gentle and secular!
David says
isalm.
Santa Voorhees says
“Indonesia has seen a “dramatic rise in recent months of intolerance of minorities including Christians, gay and lesbian people, women and even other Muslim groups,” all in keeping with the expanded influence of Sharia”
Yet the Left complains about Myanmar…
Eur says
Koranimals.
Michael Copeland says
Memo for Debra Killalea:
There is no strict or less strict “version” of Islam.
There is only strict or less strict APPLICATION of Sharia.
Sharia is Islam, and Islam is Sharia, drawn from the source texts.
gravenimage says
Spot on.
Sarah says
I’ve been there, twice. It is a dump. Sorry Indonesia, but Bali is a filthy, unhygenic, smelly hole filled with Balinese who (in most cases, quite rightfully) resent the hell out of the bogan Australians who invade their little island and act like louts.
Seriously, even if I won a first class, all expenses paid trip there, I would give it away. I genuinely will never step foot anywhere on Indonesian soil ever again. Its a hole.
Bali is a holdout to the old religion. And the Javanese are infiltrating and swarming around. It won’t be ten years before Bali is subjugated by the rest of the Indonesians and their beloved Islam.
If you want a nice Asian place to travel to, that is affordable, pretty, has wonderful people and a great local culture – and is much safer by comparison, then buggar Bali, just go to Thailand. Phuket island is miles above Bali as an affordable family destination. And the people are not only nicer, but harder working, friendlier and there aren’t 260+ million, mouth frothing Muslims literally about 125km from you, like there are, when you’re in Bali.
These risks that are rising in Bali – will hamper Australians. Mainly because those Aussie’s who just love Bali and keep going back again and again – are the bogans. They’re uncouth, rude, ignorant and cheap. These are the types who think ‘well, I’m on holiday’ so therefore its alright’ to get smashed at 10am and stagger the streets in a large group, all of them shouting stupid stuff and knocking into people etc. Or madly shopping for the same, cheap, knockoff shitty sarongs and counterfeit dvd’s, haggling like a demon, proud of the fact that they’ve just screwed some little old lady out of the 30 cents they knocked off their $3 purchase.
So they’re the stupid types who will absolutely run afoul of Islamic morals and obligations and rules. No sympathy from me. The place is a dump, beloved by idiots who abuse it. Hell, Islam might even be an improvement at this stage – and I never thought that line would ever come out of my mouth.
I’m not a huge fan of Balinese culture for a few reasons, but overall,they’re a harmless, peaceful people. I feel sorry for them, between marauding Muslims and the pigs of the bogan class of Australia, their sweet little island is a trash dump.
gravenimage says
Really?
You think that the savagery of Islam–including child rape, amputations for petty theft, and stonings in the streets–is superior to rude tourists and people selling knock-off DVDs?
Even if Bali is as tawdry as you imply, the bloody horror of Islam would *not* be an improvement.
Dacritic says
I agree. I’ve been there. It is a dump like you said. Then again, Islam only makes things worse. If Islam does make its way into Bali like it does the rest of Indonesia, it is finished.
skeptic says
Indonesia a bastion of moderate Islam? Hardly. Here’s the real truth on Indonesia as a successful Muslim country: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkVtAc-uWBw&t=1s
gravenimage says
Yes–Indonesia is quite oppressive.
gravenimage says
Indonesia: “Dangerous” Sharia petition threatens tourists
……………….
Besides threatening tourists, this is aimed at Bali–which is *not* Muslim-majority, but mostly Hindus. This is targeting them, as well.
Baucent says
Right now I would think the volcano might be a bigger danger to tourists and any Sharia risk.
Any one who had been to Bali would realize to Indonesia it is a “golden egg” earning mega tourism dollars for the country.The Muslim government in Java, won’t want to upset that. Also as a Hindu majority Island where the governor and high officials are all Hindu’s, Sharia law will not even get a look in there. It would mean banning the Balinese culture completely, which entirely conflicts with Sharia, that would mean revolution. Indonesian governments have always let the Balinese do there own thing and I doubt that would change.
gravenimage says
Baucent wrote:
Right now I would think the volcano might be a bigger danger to tourists and any Sharia risk.
…………………….
Oh, good grief, Baucent. This is like saying that Somalia is a better place than Texas or Florida, because those states just suffered through hurricanes.
Natural disasters come and go, but the horrors of Shari’ah won’t pass as quickly.
More:
Any one who had been to Bali would realize to Indonesia it is a “golden egg” earning mega tourism dollars for the country.The Muslim government in Java, won’t want to upset that. Also as a Hindu majority Island where the governor and high officials are all Hindu’s, Sharia law will not even get a look in there.
…………………….
Islam *has* been encroaching on Bali–so has Jihad. Have you forgotten the terrible Jihad terror attack in 2002?
And there have been attempts to Islamically ban alcohol in Bali:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/09/11/indonesia-proposes-alcohol-ban-in-bali/
As for the idea that Indonesia is always hands off with areas that are not Muslim-majority, you might want to ask the Christian-majority East Timorese–who suffered out and out genocide before being able to succeed–about that.
george romero says
Everyone i know who has been on a holiday in Bali-Nesia Recently ,reported that they had a great time , BUT,
”Dont go out of the tourist area” & “Don’t draw attention to yourself by showing affection to your partner in public as it is their ”CULTURE” to frown upon such ”BEHAVIOUR”
HMMMMMM>
James says
Interesting – and surprising – thread. Better to find somewhere more relaxed about Christians and gays and other targets of Muslim violence.
Scott says
My partner’s daughter and son-in-law were married in Bali in 2012.
They had a Christian minister perform the ceremony.
HOWEVER, under Indonesian law, they had to have a parallel ceremony by an Indonesian official as they did not recognize a non Indonesian ceremony as a true “marriage”.
As such, visiting tourists might not be considered “married” if not done under Indonesian law?
Traveller beware.
Proud Anti-Islam says
Boycott and avoid Indonesia.
ronyvo says
It is VSRY unwise to travel to a Muslim country. Even those countries which are overcome by Muslims, like Sweden, Germany, Spain France. There are those countries which are sane and serious about their safety like Poland, Hangry, Slovakia and Check Republic.
Save Europe says
It’s really very very simple. Don’t holiday in Indonesia. Don’t give them your money.