A new and controversial trend has emerged in Indonesia, ‘pleasure marriages’. This type of marriage is considered an ‘illegal agreement’ in the name of marriages, in which local women become temporary wives of foreign tourists.
Young women from low-income families in Puncak, Indonesia opt for Pleasure marriages with male tourists in exchange for money. The aim is to make money by giving pleasure to tourists. This practice, known as Mutah Nikah, has emerged as a lucrative industry here. It is boosting tourism and the local economy.
Why do women opt for ‘pleasure marriages’ with tourists?
Young women from low-income families are entering into Contract marriages with male tourists in exchange for money. This is considered a temporary marriage in Islam. However, this practice has been severely criticized as many tourists are taking advantage of local women.
How has this marriage become an industry in Indonesia?
According to the Los Angeles Times report, this practice of Contract marriages in Islam has emerged as a lucrative industry, which is boosting tourism and the local economy in Puncak, a popular place in western Indonesia that attracts Arab tourists. Now some companies have taken over this work.
Tourists are introduced to local women by agencies in a highland resort. After a small and informal marriage organized with the consent of both parties, the man pays the bride price to the woman. The woman provides him with domestic and sexual services as long as the tourist stays there. The marriage is ended when the tourist leaves.
How many such Contact marriages does a woman do here?
According to various sources, a 28-year-old Indonesian woman revealed that she had her first such marriage at the age of 13, a situation she was forced into by her grandparents. She has married West Asian tourists more than 15 times. Officials and agents also have a share in this work. After deducting this, the woman gets half the amount.
