Bali Deports Thief Found Guilty Of Targeting Tourists 

Share The Article

Immigration officials in Bali have confirmed the successful deportation of an Indian national who was found guilty of stealing high-value items from British tourists on the island.

The criminal investigation and deportation operation came as part of the mandate by the Bali Becik Task Force. 

Officials from the I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport confirmed the deportation of an Indian national who had entered Bali on a tourist visa on arrival.

The man, known by his initials BVB, has been staying in a number of destinations around Bali, including Canggu and Ubud, and has spent some time in Lombok. 

The case was brought to the attention of immigration officials after the incident of theft was highlighted by Balinese social justice advocate Ni Luh Djelantik on social media.

The vocal activist and entrepreneur shared details of how BVB robbed a bag containing a mobile phone and other valuables of a British tourist from their rental villa in Ubud. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bali Tourism Board (@balitourismboardofficial)

BVB was deported on the afternoon of Wednesday, 23rd August, after a police investigation by the Bali Becik Task Force.

Speaking to reporters, once BVB had safely landed back in India, the Head of the Denpasar Immigration Detention, Babay Baenullah, explained that he had been detained by the authorities for 13 days before his deportation flight. 

Baenullah said, “In accordance with Article 102 of Law Number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration, deterrence can be carried out for a maximum of six months, and each time it can be extended for a maximum of six months, and besides that, a lifelong deterrence can also be imposed on foreigners who are considered to be able to disturb security and public order.

Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans For 2023 Starting At $10 Per Week

Easily Earn Points For Free Travel

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Imigrasi Ngurah Rai (@imngurahrai)

He added, “However, a decision on further deterrence will be decided by the Directorate General of Immigration by looking at and considering all cases.”

The Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Anggiat Napitupulu, said that the successful deportation of BVB comes as an important move by authorities to demonstrate the zero tolerance approach Bali has to crime and maintain the good public image of the island as a tourism destination. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kantor Imigrasi Denpasar (@imigrasidenpasar)

Napitupulu reiterated that the Bali Becik Task Force, police, and immigration officers will continue to patrol the island and conduct surveillance online and on the ground to ensure that firm action is taken against foreigners conducting illegal or culturally disrespectful behavior on the island.

He told reporters, “The Directorate General of Immigration, together with the Bali Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights and the Bali Immigration ranks, have formed the Bali Becik Task Force as a follow-up to the rampant inappropriate behavior of foreign tourists vacationing in Bali.”

Napitupulu concluded, “This aims to control foreigners in order to create a better Bali. With the formation of the Bali Becik Task Force, it is hoped that the level of violations of laws and norms by foreigners in Bali will decrease.”

During the press conference detailing the deportation of BVB, immigration officers reiterated that concerned residents and tourists must use the complaint hotline to report any and all suspected incidents of foreigners breaking the law or disrespecting local customs.

At the time of the launch of the hotline last month, Indonesia’s Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, committed to ensuring that all calls were followed up by the Bali Becik Task Force within 72 hours.

Director General Karim announced, “We, from the Bali Becik Task Force, invite the people of Bali to report foreigners who violate the hotline number 08 139 9679 966. Community participation is certainly very much needed in supervising and taking action against unruly tourists.” 

The Bali Becik Task Force is a dedicated group of immigration officials across Bali who will be working in partnership with local police authorities and community security teams to crack down on illegal behavior by tourists in Bali.

Director General Karim targeted the task force by conducting 100 immigration control operations every month.

Many of which will end up in deportations, fines, criminal charges, or restorative justice mitigation meetings.