Bali Governor Issues Urgent Statements Over Tourist Safety Following National Protests

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Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster has issued urgent statements regarding safety in Bali following nationwide protests.

Governor Koster and the tourism industry are clear that the province remains safe for tourists and the situation will take the necessary steps to ensure that remains the case.

A statement issued on Tuesday 2nd September from the Office of the Governor of Bali, explained “The Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, stated that the demonstrations in Bali have ended and were successfully manage through close cooperation between the Governor and security forces, along with active participation of religious councils, Desa Adat (traditional villages), Pecalang (traditional security personal) and all components of society.”

The statement continues, “All community activities across Bali have returned to normal as usual.”

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The statement concludes “He also warmly invited tourists from all countries, as well as domestic visitors, to come to Bali and enjoy its natural beauty, the hospitality of its people and the diversity and uniqueness of Balinese culture.”

The statements from Governor Koster come after embassies and international travel advice agencies issued updated travel safety advice for tourists over the weekend following demonstrations and protests across major cities in Indonesia, including Bali’s Denpasar.

In Bali, demonstrations were largely contained to Denpasar and Singaraja, not impacting any areas regularly frequented by tourists or tourism resort areas. 

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Many international media outlets have been conflating updates travel safety advice regarding political demonstrations with terrorism warnings. All international travel advice agencies and foreign affairs departments issue travel guidance for tourist in a range of areas, including safety, natural disasters, health crime, and local laws. The political protests and demonstrations in Indonesia should not be conflated with acts of terrorism.

These protests and demonstrations were organised in response to the central government’s decision to dramatically increase MPs allowances. The protests were intensified after a 21-year-old man was run over and killed by an armoured police vehicle at a demonstration in Jakarta on 28th August.

Protests and demonstrations in Bali resulted in clashes between the public and security forces outside the Bali Regional Police Headquarters and the Bali Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) Building in Denpasar.

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In Bali, leaders, tourism businesses and local communities have been clear that ensuring public law, order, and peace is a top priority. Thousands of local pecalang, or traditional village security, joined Bali Police and the Indonesian Army for an organised rally at the Niti Mandala Field in Renon on Monday 1st September.

The Head of the Traditional Village Council, Ida Panglingsir Agung Putra Sukahet, told reporters that concerns that the unrest could impact tourism are valid, but that tourists have no need to reconsider their travel plans. 

Following the pandemic, the Bali Bombings, earthquakes and other major international events, communities in Bali are all too aware of the impact tourism has on the local economy and prosperity of the island.

Sukahet told reporters “Bali is very dependent on harmony, security, peace, and tranquility because the Balinese economy is very dependent on tourism.” He added “Don’t let our tourism be disrupted, Bali could be in disarray.”

The Chairman of the Indonesian Travel Agencies Association (ASITA), Putu Winastra, told reporters on Monday 1st September to be clear that international travel authorities have only issued updates travel warnings, not travel bans.

He shared “This doesn’t mean a ban. A travel warning is a normal thing, a notification of the current situation.” Noting “This morning an agent in Spain asked me, and I told them Bali is safe.” 

He concluded “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.”

As stated by the Australian travel advice agency Smartraveler on 1st September and deemed ‘still current’ on 2nd September, “Large protests with potential to escalate into violence and property damage are occurring across major cities in Indonesia, including Denpasar, Bali, causing disruption and impacting local traffic movements. Avoid protests and demonstrations and monitor local media for the latest updates.”