A troubling trend in Indonesian villages has drawn significant online outrage. As reported by the South China Morning Post, impoverished young women are entering into short-term marriages with male tourists, mainly from the Middle East, for monetary compensation. This practice is notably common in Puncak, a favored tourist spot in West Indonesia that attracts Arab visitors. Many of these tourists are taking advantage of local women through temporary marriages organized by agencies in the mountain resort area of Kota Bunga.
The process involves agencies connecting tourists with local women, after which a quick and informal wedding ceremony takes place if both parties consent. The man pays a bride price, and in exchange, the woman provides sexual and domestic services for the duration of the tourist’s visit. Once the tourist leaves, the marriage is annulled.
According to the Los Angeles Times, this controversial concept, referred to as “pleasure marriages,” has developed into a profitable industry that enhances tourism and the local economy. Initially, local family members or friends facilitated these introductions, but the rise of specialized agencies has formalized the practice.
Cahaya, a young woman from Indonesia, recounted her distressing experience as a temporary spouse, revealing that she has been married more than 15 times to Middle Eastern tourists. Her first husband, a 50-year-old Saudi man, offered a bride price of $850 (Rs 71,412), but after cuts taken by agents and officials, she received only half. Five days after their wedding, he returned home, resulting in their “divorce.” Cahaya mentioned she earns between $300 and $500 per marriage, barely enough to pay her rent and care for her sick grandparents.
In another story, Nisa escaped this cycle after participating in at least 20 temporary unions. She found an Indonesian immigration officer, married him, and settled into a new life with two sons, vowing never to return to her previous situation.
These temporary marriages, or nikah mut’ah, have roots in Shia Islamic culture, but many scholars deem them “unacceptable.” Additionally, such arrangements are not recognized by Indonesian law, as they contravene the primary purpose of marriage.
