So Indonesia banned premarital sex...

zbovka

Saw on the news today at work...
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-63869078

As much as Indonesia is growing, at the end of the day it's still Muslim majority with many sites banned for broad definitions of explicit content, but I didn't see this one coming...

Kaja

zbovka This is why I hate religion.

Religion kills freedom and sense.

Rina

zbovka This is why I feel strong separation of religion from state is important part of modern society.

Anyone shouldn't expect their religious belief is superior over others.

Angelina

zbovka

yes, i read that in the media yesterday, i think it is definitely a step backwards for a country that also lives from tourism, the consequences will be noticeable. as far as i know, it will only apply from 2025, but i still find it extremely bitter.

Renita

Indonesia again?

Laura

https://unwedchastity.org/d/614-chastity-belt-law

We should suggest them 😂

CharInChastity

Why is this a big deal. We all can’t have sex anyway?

Laura

CharInChastity Because it's supported by the government

CharInChastity

Many of our parents would support a government run chastity program.

Avery

CharInChastity Many of our parents would support a government run chastity program.

Nah. My parents have six children, they'll never stop doing it.

Angelina

CharInChastity Many of our parents would support a government run chastity program.

yes, but a state order is something different than a family matter.
whereby @Laura is somehow right about the link in order to enforce that, one of the two partners would actually have to wear a chastity belt 😂

Renita

Angelina Especially since chastity belt is known thing in Indonesia.

Angelina

Renita

well then i'm curious, the law is supposed to come into force in 2025, maybe it will take so long because the state is still preparing something

Renita

Angelina maybe it will take so long because the state is still preparing something

To promote chastity belt idea among the population.

Angelina

Renita To promote chastity belt idea among the population.

right, in 3 years you can improve the reputation of chastity belts considerably, i remain curious what will happen

Sin

This is not really a surprise, outside of Bali Indo is still a strict conservative Muslim country. Places like Aceh have implemented Sharia law for decades. Over the border in Malaysia you get caned for the same thing, so this just brings them into line with all the other countries that use religion to repress the population.

It won't really affect tourists other than emabling corrupt Balinese cops an excuse to extract more bribes from unsuspecting foreigners, and they're pretty good at that already.

Rina

Sin A bigger problem is that it would affect lot of LGBTQ+ Indonesians for sure.

zbovka

Sin There's quite a lot of land area indonesia owns that doesn't exactly follow islamic practices

e.g.

the ghili islands: They openly deal drugs there. It's mostly a tourist destination like bali, but unlike bali, policing is not enforced and is run entirely based on community trust. Most inhabitants are buddhist iirc.
** in case you didnt know, drug trafficking is a death sentence in indonesia, with very little exception. Every now and then some dumb aussie gets caught and then australia-indonesian relationships dwindle for a bit as they attempt (and usually fail) to renegotiate that citizen back. As ironic as it sounds, Afghanistan is officially more lenient on drugs to the point that the penalty is "merely" re-education imprisonment, but well unlike indonesia, drug sales is kinda what allowed the taliban to fund its forces to begin with.
New Guinea: Aside from the urban areas, it's largely inhabited by tribal clans that once had a history of cannabalism. Currently indonesian subsidies support these communities, which is actually rather unusual since indonesian government doesn't even fund the maintenance of urban roads especially after things like floods, which is why if you'be been to the suburban areas of for example, jakarta, you'll find the roads are pretty shoddy.
Indonesia, officially isn't a muslim run country, and by law they recognise something like 6 major religions, which allows religions like chrisitian churches to exist. I've been to one before when I was young and they crammed like some 3000 people into a space that's normally filled with about 1000 people in western countries.

Sin

Rina I think most people would be surprised how conservative Indonesia really is outside of the main tourist areas. I used to go there quite a lot for seasonal work and it's at least on par with some of the more traditional Islamic places I've been to in the Middle East.

I'd say it's on par with pre-war Syria or maybe Egypt as far as human rights go. Life is pretty cheap once you get to Java or Sumatra... It's not easy for women and definitely not for gays.

Some of the dodgiest experiences I've ever had have been in Indo. It's a great place to visit but you have to have your wits about you and in hindsight, it's lucky I made it out alive from some places.

Still worth going though! It's fun telling the locals how amazing the Hindu sites are just to watch their reactions. 😆

Sin

zbovka The Gilis are an anomally, they're not really Indonesian in that they are mostly owned by rich expats. They're actually uninhabitable islands... all of the water you drink and shower in is shipped in daily. The drugs are mostly supplied by the police (or at least the $$$ flow in that direction).

The only Buddhists you'll find there are the hippy bloody yoga teachers... Bali is a Hindu island in a sea of Islam. Pretty much the same thing though. (I'm allowed to say that because I'm a hippy bloody yoga teacher 😅 ).

PNG is a different country but you're right, it's mostly animist. It is NOT a safe place to travel, especially for women. There's a (very) high chance you won't make it out alive if you try to traverse it solo. It's a shame because it would be an awesome place to visit.

Timor to Komodo is mostly animist fishing villages, but still very conservative.The Muslim thing kicks in the further west you go (Java and Sumatra, where the majority of the population live). It gets worse the further you go. Some places are okay because they see a lot of westerners (like surfers in the Mentawis), but there are a lot of places where it's simply not safe for a woman to travel. I've done it, but I'm not sure I'd recommend it.

I know all about you dodgy druggy Australians by the way... You lot are a disgrace! 😛

youdontknowme

Sin PNG is a different country but you're right, it's mostly animist. It is NOT a safe place to travel, especially for women. There's a (very) high chance you won't make it out alive if you try to traverse it solo. It's a shame because it would be an awesome place to visit.

I think they are talking about Western New Guinea. The different country is only the eastern half of the island.