Bali Village Leaders Ordered To Monitor Tourists’ Behaviour 

Share The Article

Political and community leaders in Bali are coming together to find new ways to help protect peace and order on the island.

The collaborations are coming into effect as leaders feel there has been another rise in the number of foreigners behaving badly on the island, disrespecting local culture and breaking the law. 

It has been confirmed by the Bali Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and the Immigration Department that they are collaborating with traditional villages to monitor foreigners.

Many of Bali’s big tourism resorts are still managed, on a day-to-day basis, by local village security teams and are supported by the police, immigration, and civil service police authorities when they need backup. 

Traditional Village Leaders have control over many aspects of daily life, including security and many of the private taxi services, and work alongside local tourism businesses to keep everything running smoothly. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MEDIA BALI PRAWARA (@baliprawara)

Dozens of communities have voiced their support for the new collaborations and are eager to get involved. Currently, collaboration is being carried out in Karangasem and Canggu.

The Canggu Traditional Village Head, Wayan Suarsana, told reporters that he and his teams are happy to support the new initiative. 

He said, “As village head, I really support efforts to collaborate with us to monitor foreigners so that we have the authority to do what we can do. If we are partnered, this is better because it is to maintain order and tranquility so that everything can be orderly and safe.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by MEDIA BALI PRAWARA (@baliprawara)

In the booming tourism resort of Uluwatu, the Pecatu Traditional Village Leader, Made Sumerta, spoke to reporters about how this new collaboration is considered this step as a positive step and would enhance the program in his community. 

Sumerta said, “For me, seeing the phenomenon of many foreigners behaving not according to our norms of life, with the new strategy from Immigration, I really appreciate it.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Denniz (@dnzr07)

In reality, Traditional Village Leaders and their teams monitor the behavior of everyone in their community, local and foreign, 24/7.

Yet, for Sumerta, this collaboration between communities and the authorities means that firmer and quicker action can be taken by village leaders and the authorities should a tourist disrespect local culture or break the law in their jurisdiction. 

Sumerta explained, “I hope there are clear boundaries of authority so that we don’t make mistakes. What information do we need, and how far are the regulations [to be enforced]?”

The new strategy initiated by Immigration is expected to improve security and order in Bali further. By involving traditional villages, it is hoped that monitoring of the presence and behavior of foreigners can be carried out more effectively.

Sumerta believes that there is a need for coordination and clarity of regulations so that traditional village teams can carry out their roles appropriately without violating existing authority limits.

Sumerta said, “Astungkara, there are no disturbing foreigners in Pecatu Village; it is still monitored as safe.”

Speaking separately, the Head of Kuta Traditional Village, Komang Alit Ardana, also welcomed the collaboration program.

Ardana also stated his readiness to collaborate with the Kuta Traditional Village to supervise foreigners in the future. However, he also asked to be given updated information regarding the law, with specific reference to what rules foreigners must obey. 

Ardana said, “We, the traditional village, are ready, but we are given knowledge of the rules regarding what foreigners can and cannot do in our area.”

He noted, however, that there have been minimal reports of tourists behaving badly in the Kuta area of late. 

Ardana explained, “Well, now, if Immigration gives us more responsibility to be able to supervise together, of course, we will always coordinate and report everything we encounter in the field regarding the whereabouts of these foreigners.” 

Speaking to the press, the Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Pramella Y Pasaribu, explained, “This program aims to increase supervision of the presence and activities of foreigners in the Bali region.”

She added, “Traditional village leaders must know foreigners in their area of duty. In this way, they can help Immigration carry out supervision and create a sense of security in Bali. We hope that this program can be implemented throughout Bali and provide real benefits in maintaining security and order.”