Bali official calls for swift expulsion of unruly foreigners amid crime concerns
Recent high-profile crimes have revived calls for stricter supervision and punishments for rule-breaking visitors to the island
Calls for tougher penalties and swift deportations are mounting in Bali, as local leaders warn that a rise in offences by foreign visitors risks damaging the Indonesian island’s international reputation.
Komang Nova Sewi Putra, deputy chairman of Bali’s legislative council, said the time had come for decisive action against tourists who violate the law or flout local customs, including immediate deportation.
“If we were abroad in a fight, we would immediately deport them. Why isn’t it implemented in Bali? Once caught, deport them. The effect is to make Bali safe,” Putra was quoted as saying during a council meeting on Tuesday, according to the Bali Sun.
The remarks came amid growing frustration among local leaders over what they view as insufficient immigration enforcement and rising disorder among foreign visitors. Putra urged authorities to strengthen visa oversight and more clearly distinguish between legitimate travellers and those causing problems.
“Find out who has a work visa, who is just on vacation, who is just causing trouble. That must be clear,” he said.
Police data shows 108 criminal cases involving foreign suspects were recorded between January 1 and June 21 this year, with most involving assault and fraud.
Police also reported 40 drug-related offences involving foreign nationals, with most cases linked to visitors from Russia, Australia, the US, India and Ukraine.
In the same period, 176 cases were logged in which foreigners were the victims of crime, primarily theft, robbery and extortion.
Senior Commissioner Soelistijono of the Bali Police said foreign consular representatives had twice been invited to remind their nationals to respect local norms and rules. He noted that traffic violations committed by foreign drivers were also on the rise.
“If security is shaken, then not only the tourism sector will be affected, but Bali’s reputation as a world destination will also be tarnished,” he said.
Concerns over safety escalated last week after police arrested three Australian men over the fatal shooting of another Australian at a villa near Bali’s Munggu Beach.
Authorities said the suspects face charges including premeditated murder and illegal firearm possession, which in Indonesia carry penalties of up to life imprisonment or the death sentence.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade revised its guidance earlier this month, urging citizens to exercise a “high degree of caution” while in Bali. However, Australian Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles later clarified the update was a routine reminder about water safety and not prompted by any specific incident, adding that Bali remained a safe and popular destination for Australians.
Tensions over tourist behaviour have been simmering for months. In April, Bali Governor Wayan Koster vowed to take a “no mercy” approach to foreigners who broke the law, following an incident in which a 27-year-old American tourist went on a rampage at a local clinic.
His remarks came shortly after the launch of a new set of travel guidelines aimed at curbing misbehaviour by visitors. The regulations, which include recommendations for dress, conduct and respect for local traditions, were part of broader efforts to preserve Balinese culture while maintaining the island’s appeal as a global tourist hotspot.
