With the Christmas countdown officially started, leaders in Bali are preparing to welcome festive holidaymakers.
Over the festive season, Bali typically welcomes more than one million visitors, and Bali Police, along with supporting agencies, work around the clock to keep everyone safe and in flow.
This year, the Christmas and New Year policing operation in Bali will be called Operation Lilin. This policing mission will be preceded by Operation Cipkon Agung, which launched on 3rd December and will be in place until 10th December.
The Operation was launched by Deputy Chief of Badung Police, Commissioner I Gede Suarmawa, and is set to assess the situation across Bali, ready to ensure that Operation Linin runs smoothly at the end of the month.
Suarmawa told reporters, “Operation Cipkon Agung is not just an annual routine. It is a major responsibility to ensure the public can celebrate Christmas and New Year safely, orderly, and comfortably. Therefore, I ask that all personnel be fully prepared.”
The Deputy Police Chief also reminded all personnel to always be prepared for every eventuality this festive season, especially since the holiday period coincides with the height of the rainy season.
Indonesia is currently facing one of the most devastating rainy seasons in living memory, and in Bali, the heavy rainfall has the potential to trigger natural disasters, including landslides, floods, fallen trees, and, of course, the risk of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions in Bali and across Indonesia is ever-present.
Suarmawa urged his teams and the broader community,” Public movement will increase sharply. Personnel must be sensitive to field dynamics, conduct early detection, and never underestimate any situation.”
He concluded, “Our task is not only to maintain but also to build public trust. Avoid arrogance, prioritize education, and take firm action according to Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) if violations are found.”
Bali Police are on a mission to ensure that the island remains a safe and welcoming destination for all tourists and residents. This is why tourists will see more police patrols in areas where opportunistic crime is often recorded, such as Kuta.
Last week, the Kuta Police Chief, Commissioner Agus Riwayanto Diputra, met with Kuta Traditional Village leaders, along with the Badung Regency Civil Police (Satpol PP), the Kuta Pecalang teams, tourism businesses, and local community members to get everyone on the same page about security and safety in Bali’s most iconic beach resort.
Commissioner Diputra confirmed that increased patrols will be taking place at night in busy nightlife zones of Kuta to help deter any potential criminal activity. He noted, “Regarding nighttime activity control, the Kuta Police are open to coordinating with the local government if the situation requires additional restrictive measures.”
Adding, “The Kuta Police are committed to maintaining a safe, orderly, and conducive tourism environment by prioritising preventative, human, and collaborative measures. We encourage the entire community, businesses, and other stakeholders to continue supporting efforts to maintain regional security for the well-being of all.”
Tourists traveling to Bali in the coming weeks will see more police presence across the top resort areas, as well as the Immigration Task Force team.
The Immigration Task Force team has been deployed across Bali’s busiest tourism resort areas to ensure that all foreigners in Bali are abiding by the law and only engaging in the activities permitted by their visas and stay permits.
In recent months, the Immigration Task Force team has been conducting spot checks in Nusa Dua, Legian, Ubud, and just this week in Uluwatu, too.
Tourists are reminded that it is a legal requirement in Indonesia to carry their passports at all times. Foreigners spot checked by the Immigration Task Force will be asked to present their passport, visa, and stay permit.
They may be asked questions about their plans for their time in Bali, where they are staying, and proof of onward travel.
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