Following a weekend of nationwide protests and demonstrations, leaders in Bali have assured tourists that the province remains a safe and welcoming destination.
While embassies and consuls have issued updated advice for tourists, Bali’s busiest resort areas remain largely unaffected by the political activity.
Speaking to reporters following the issuance of travel safety updates, the Chairman of the Indonesian Travel Agencies Association (ASITA), Putu Winastra, told reporters, “This doesn’t mean a ban. A travel warning is a normal thing, a notification of the current situation.” He added, “This morning an agent in Spain asked me, and I told them Bali is safe.”
When asked if the unrest of the last few days had had any immediate impact on incoming tourist numbers to Bali, Winastra said that everything remains as normal and that there has not been a surge in booking cancellations. He noted, “Not yet. Suppose the travel warning is normal. Travel warning is to remind the citizens, and it is a natural thing to be done by the government there.”
“If the travel warning is just a reminder and appeal. Urge to be careful. It’s not forbidden; if travel is banned, then it’s banned. This is just a travel warning.”
Security officials in Bali have been speaking to the media about the ongoing situation on the ground and plans to curb violence within the demonstrations. The demonstrations started on the 28th of August in Jakarta after the Indonesian government passed new laws permitting members of parliament to enjoy an expense allowance that is more than ten times larger than that of the minimum wage in the nation’s capital.
Tensions were escalated when, during a demonstration in Jakarta on the night of the 28th August, a 21-year-old motorcycle taxi driver was killed by an armoured police vehicle. The incident triggered protests and demonstrations nationwide, including in the provincial capital of Bali, Denpasar.
The Bali Regional Police have confirmed that 155 of the demonstrators who were arrested over the weekend have been sent home. The Chief of Bali Police Public Relations confirmed that 158 individuals were arrested, but that only three are being held on suspicion of committing violations that incited criminal activity.
Chief Commissioner Ariasandy told reporters, “As of yesterday (Sunday, 31st August), we had detained around 158 people and questioned them to determine their roles. Based on the investigation, we released most of them because their roles in yesterday’s demonstration were not significant.”
He confirmed that the three people who remain in police custody were being investigated in connection with the alleged theft of police property and throwing Molotov cocktails at the Bali Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) Office in Denpasar. Two of the arrests are aged 18, and the other is aged 20.
On Monday afternoon, at the Niti Mandala Renon Field in Denpasar, thousands of Balinese Pecalang, or traditional community security guards, gathered to state their commitment to ensuring peace, prosperity, law and order in the province, The pecalang gathered and state their support and willingness to assist the police and Indonesian Armed Forced (TNI) in what have been branded as ‘anarchic demonstrations’.
The Head of the Balinese Pecalang, Nyoman Beker, told the gathered teams, “We, the Balinese Pecalanag, are ready to cooperate with the state security forces, including the TNI, the Indonesian National Police, and all components of society in maintaining security, peace, and order in Bali.”
Beker, on behalf of the Pecalang, condemned the attacks on the Bali Regional Police Headquarters and the DPRD Offices on Saturday, 30th August. He shared, “We, the Balinese Pecalang, will defend Bali in a spiritual way from the actions of any party that disturbs and desecrates the sanctity of Balinese land.”
The Chairman of the Bali Traditional Village Council. Ida Penglingsir Agung Putra Sukahet praised the prompt response and unwavering commitment of Pecalang teams over the weekend.
Sukahet shared, “Pecalanag are not equipped with weapons, and protestors have never targeted Pecalang. Pecalang are firm with their words and usually respected.:
He concluded, “In just 24 hours, the Pecalang were ready and the spirit was gathered. Bali is highly dependent on tourism; therefore, it is crucial that we gather rather than anticipate demonstrations that could turn anarchic.”
Tourists traveling to Bali are advised to check in with their national travel advice agency prior to departure and follow the advice issued by their government.
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