In light of the Bali run club controversy last week, which hit international headlines and resulted in the deportation of two foreign nationals, leaders in Bali are looking to increase surveillance of tourists, digital nomads, and foreign nationals in the island’s top destinations.
Speaking to reporters, officials from the Badung Regency Tourism Office (Dispar) moved quickly to respond after viral allegations of the rejection of Indonesian citizens at a running community event set to be hosted in Canggu.
The Head of the Badung Tourism Office, AA Putri Mas Agung, said that, as an anticipatory measure to prevent similar incidents, the Badung Tourism Office will encourage the implementation of a clearer notification mechanism for every community and event organizer that uses public spaces.
She shared, “Through this mechanism, the local government hopes that every activity can be monitored from the start, including licensing, impacts on the surrounding community, and compliance with applicable regulations.”
The result is that not only will there be better public consultation on events, but there will also be increased surveillance of those seeking to run community or public events of any kind in Bali’s most popular tourism region.
It means that foreigners seeking to host events of any kind, whether profit-making or not, will have to follow the appropriate channels to ensure that their events are properly licensed, fully permitted and signed off by the local government and stakeholders.
Agung told reporters, “We want to ensure that the tourism climate in Badung remains inclusive, orderly, and respectful of the rights of all parties. Tourists are welcome to enjoy Badung, but all activities must respect the culture and local communities and comply with applicable regulations. This way, Badung tourism can continue to thrive harmoniously, and Bali remains stable.”
Badung Regency is home to Bali’s most popular tourist resorts, including Canggu, Uluwatu, Kuta, Legian and Seminyak. When asked about the incident with Entourage Bali Run Club, Agung confirmed that the case now remains with immigration.
She explained, “The Tourism Office has fully entrusted the Immigration Office and the police with conducting the investigation in accordance with applicable regulations. This is the Immigration Office’s authority, so we are awaiting official results from the relevant agencies.”
The incident caught the attention of the Regent of Badung, I Wayan Adi Arnawa, who spoke to reporters to confirm that the Badung Regency Government is committed to maintaining order in public spaces.
He shared, “We appreciate the swift response of all parties who have provided clarification so that this issue can be handled objectively and in accordance with applicable regulations.
While many of the foreigners running community-based events in Bali are well-intentioned, there are a lot of regulations and laws that need to be respected in the process.
It’s not as simple as showing up to a popular destination and posting an Instagram story to bring together a free community event. All gatherings must be organised fully and through the appropriate channels, even down to having the correct visa.
Tourists and digital nomads must be aware that organising or facilitating events of any kind constitutes ‘work’ which is not permitted on a tourist or socio-cultural visa.
Foreigners in Bali who are staying in the country on investment, pre-investment, business, or even work visas who have permission to engage in income-generating activities must also be aware that organising events requires licences and permits that often span across multiple movement agencies.
The situation with Entourage Bali Run Club and the silent disco run event last week is clearly a landmark case for Indonesia Immigration and officials in the Canggu area.
They have taken a strong stance on the matter, and typically this means that increased surveillance and a renewed commitment to the zero-tolerance approach to rule breakers ensue.
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