BADUNG, Bali — Indonesia has blacklisted two Dutch nationals linked to Entourage Bali, as immigration authorities investigate whether their activities were consistent with the conditions of their Indonesian stay permits.
The move follows a public controversy surrounding the Bali-based digital nomad community, which recently apologized and suspended its activities after allegations surfaced that some Indonesians had been excluded from joining one of its WhatsApp groups.
The case has drawn widespread attention in Bali, prompting immigration authorities to examine whether the foreign nationals involved complied with Indonesia’s immigration regulations.
Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said the two Dutch nationals, identified only as JAS (35) and HQV (37), had already left Indonesia before authorities completed their investigation.
According to the Directorate General of Immigration, the pair departed I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on July 23 aboard a KLM flight to Singapore. They have since been placed on Indonesia’s blacklist, preventing them from re-entering the country.
JAS holds a limited stay permit (ITAS) for employment, while HQV is the holder of an investor ITAS. Both are believed to have been involved in organizing activities under Entourage Bali.
Immigration authorities have also summoned the sponsor of the two foreigners, PT SIG, to provide information about their activities in Indonesia and whether those activities were consistent with the purposes of their residence permits.
If investigators find violations of Indonesia’s immigration regulations, authorities said further legal action will be taken.
Hendarsam said the investigation is focused on whether the two foreigners carried out activities beyond those permitted under their immigration status. He added that foreign nationals are expected to comply with Indonesian laws and regulations while living and working in the country.
“We will not tolerate any activities that disregard Indonesian law or create the impression that foreign nationals can operate under their own rules,” Hendarsam said.
The controversy gained momentum after screenshots circulated on social media appearing to show Indonesian applicants being rejected from an Entourage Bali community WhatsApp group.
Entourage Bali later apologized, saying an error in its automated registration system had unintentionally rejected some applicants using Indonesian phone numbers. The community denied having a policy that excluded Indonesians and said it had suspended all activities while reviewing its procedures.
Read also: Entourage Bali Apologizes, Suspends Events After Discrimination Backlash
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