Bali’s regional lawmakers are calling for urgent action amid growing evidence that some foreign nationals are entering sham marriages with locals in a bid to sidestep Indonesia’s strict rules on land ownership.
The issue resurfaced during the 12th plenary session of the provincial legislature last week, where I Gusti Ayu Mas Sumatri, representing the Democrat–NasDem faction, cited a spate of viral social media posts alleging that foreigners were using marriage contracts to gain control over land and property in Bali.
“Some foreign tourists commit fraudulent practices by doing contract marriages with local people for the purpose of being able to buy or control property in Bali,” she said, as quoted by Tribun Bali. She added that such arrangements typically involved land, villas, and hotels in high-demand areas such as Badung Regency.
Call for tighter oversight
Sumatri urged the governor to coordinate with immigration and law enforcement agencies to strengthen monitoring of foreign nationals. Her comments echoed broader frustrations in Bali about the misuse of marriage—a sacred institution in Balinese culture—for financial and legal advantage.
“What should be sacred is now being exploited,” Tribun Bali wrote in an editorial on the issue, underscoring the widespread unease among locals who, despite recognizing the practice, often feel powerless to stop it.
Not a new problem, but one that’s growing
Bali Governor I Wayan Koster had raised similar concerns in 2023, warning that locals were being used as legal stand-ins by foreigners seeking to bypass ownership laws. “This is dangerous for Bali’s future,” Koster said at the time. “They marry briefly, divorce, then the land ends up in the foreigner’s control.”
Koster added that the practice contributes to moral decline and called for legal reforms that would explicitly block foreigners from obtaining land through marriage, advocating instead for transparent lease or joint-venture structures.
Gaps in property law and enforcement
Under Indonesian law, foreign nationals are barred from owning freehold land. They are, however, permitted to lease land or hold usage rights (hak pakai) for residential purposes—typically for terms of up to 80 years. They may also own buildings under a separate right-to-build agreement.
In cases of mixed marriage, Indonesian law allows an Indonesian spouse to legally hold land, provided the couple has a prenuptial agreement separating assets. Without this, land acquired during the marriage could be considered joint property—potentially violating foreign ownership laws.
Broader regional pattern
Bali’s renewed scrutiny of sham marriages mirrors similar concerns across Asia. Singapore has reported an uptick in marriages of convenience involving foreign women seeking residency. Taiwan has likewise cracked down on syndicates that use bogus marriages to traffic people into the country.
The debate comes against the backdrop of broader efforts in Bali to manage unruly behavior among tourists and tighten regulation of foreign activity. Recent measures have included a new tourism levy, temple dress codes, and a hotline to report inappropriate conduct.
