Bali Governor Reiterates Comment To Balance Tourism Development And Cultural Respect

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Bali is seeking to ensure that only culturally respectful and legally obliging foreigners visit and do business in the province.

While criminally minded and disrespectful foreigners make up a tiny percentage of the millions of international arrivals in Bali each year, the government wants to do more to ensure order is maintained. 

Bali Governor Wayan Koster has confirmed that the provincial government will be taking further steps to prevent foreign investment capitalising on local businesses out of the market.

Governor Koster is concerned that a percentage of foreign investors in Bali are not only eclipsing the market but also running side businesses that are not operating legally.

He wants to eliminate any grey areas within the foreign investment system in Indonesia and the investor visa regulations. 

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During a meeting with the Indonesian Deputy Minister for Investment and Downstreaming, Todotua Pasaribu, Governor Koster explained, “Even in some cases motorcycle rentals are operated by [foreign investors] which we believe is not correct.” Governor Koster cites examples of foreigners on investor visas and international investors presenting incorrect information or not fully transparent information on their visa, permits, and licensing applications. 

Governor Koster told Deputy Minister Paaribu that Bali will be implementing stricter regulations on international investment to help ensure only genuine investors with cultural respect and vested interest in Bali are able to develop businesses in the province. He noted, “Bali has recorded high land conversion. If we do nothing, the ecosystem will be harmed and food sources threatened in just 10 years.”

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Governor Koster also wants to see foreign investors honour their tax obligations and, as a result, will be reinforcing all tax compliance laws across the island, especially on accommodation businesses. Governor Koster shared, “We welcome investments as long as they remain under control, and we will penalise business violators. Investments must not come at the expense of local businesses.”

Deputy Minister Pasaribu gave his backing to Governor Koster and affirmed that authorities within the central government will revoke the operational licenses, permits, and visas of any foreigner or foreign investor found to be flouting the law. He explained, “We must balance [investments] while enforcing foreign investors’ rules to ensure they are not merely doing business, but also give tangible contributions for the region and for the country.”

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It is not only foreign investors that are being targeted in this latest round of legal crackdowns in Bali. Latest crime data shows that 309 foreign nationals were apprehended by Bali Police between January and the end of October 2025.

Following the confirmation of these figures, the Bali Regional Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya spoke to reporters about how the solution to this issue requires a collective effort, including from tourists and foreigners in Bali. 

Chief Inspector Adityajaya explained, “The police cannot solve this problem alone. Therefore, we are involving the local government, agency heads, and immigration authorities to jointly carry out their duties according to their respective fields and functions to maintain a more orderly Bali.”

He added, “The consulates and foreign missions were briefed to ensure they can help safeguard their citizens in Bali.” Noting “Immigration is the leading sector, and the Bali Regional Police are working with the local government to conduct joint operations to apprehend foreign nationals.”

 Earlier this month, Chief Inspector Adityajaya held a press conference to call on the island’s 24 consulates to work even more cooperatively with the Bali authorities.

He shared,  “Bali is a global destination. Security is our shared responsibility to ensure tourism continues to operate smoothly and benefit all parties.”

Tourists traveling to Bali are informed that the Immigration Task Force is out on regular patrols in top destinations like Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Dua, and Ubud.

Immigration Task Force conducts spot checks on tourists, including checking that identity documents and visas match the individual and the intended purpose of stay in Indonesia. Tourists are reminded to carry their passports on their person at all times, as is required by Indonesian law.