Bali’s tourism leaders are taking a firm stance against the disrespectful and criminal behavior of a small but significant minority of tourists on the island.
The Head of the Bali Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, has spoken to reporters to share his plans to install new billboards announcing to tourists the rules they must follow while they visit the province.
The actions have been long coming and are, in fact, very similar to steps taken in 2023, when a similar rise in criminal behavior and disrespectful actions was recorded among a minority of Bali’s international visitors.
In 2023, following a rise in the number of reports of culturally disrespectful behavior, drunk and disorderly action, and criminal activity, Bali introduced a list of Do’s and Don’ts for tourists to abide by.
The rules were listed on a small number of billboards in top tourist attractions, and for a short time were placed in passports by immigration officials while stamping tourists into the country.
With another seeming rise in the number of reports of criminal behavior by tourists in the province, leaders are circling back to the basics and are committing to educating tourists about what is expected of them during their time on the island.
The comments come specifically after footage of a brawl between tourists and security guards went viral on social media last week.
The footage shows tourists, now believed to be Australian, attacking security guards at Finns Beach Club in Canggu in an altercation that is reported to have started inside the venue and escalated into violence.
Bali Police have now confirmed the arrest of a 28-year-old Australian tourist in connection with the brawl.
The man, known by his initials MR, remains in police custody, four other witnesses have been called in for interview and police will process further eleven accounts of the events of Tuesday 11th February in the coming days.
Speaking to reporters Head of Public Relations of the Bali Regional Police, Kombes Ariasandy explained “One suspect MR, a male Australian foreigner, currently has been detained in the Bali Regional Police.”
He added “The MR report is handled by the Badung Police and has been in the investigation stage. Four witnesses have been examined and the plan is to examine 11 other witnesses.”
Finns Beach Club is also currently facing the threat of temporary closure notices due to operating with incomplete licenses and permits. Bali’s Satpol PP, the Civil Police Unit, is waiting for final permission to issue the temporary closure notices to the world-famous beach club venue.
The Head of the Bali Tourism Board, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, told reporters “I saw the video which is very concerning, we want all parties to work together to guard against it, this is extraordinary, it has exceeded our expectations. This year we will install [billboards] in several areas, [to share behaviors] which are allowed and which are not.”
He added, “They are said to be drunk, meaning that people are beyond the limits of consciousness, so they do inappropriate things. We will communicate with law enforcement, the police have taken action [already] including immigration.”
Pemayun confirmed that at least ten billboards will be installed across areas of Bali where tourists have become more likely to engage in criminal activity, including in Canggu’s Berawa. Billboards will also be installed in Uluwatu, Tanah Lot, and Bedugul.
Indonesia’s Deputy Minister for Tourism, Ni Luh Puspa, also shared her response to the incident at Finns Beach Club and the apparent rising crime rates in Bali’s top resorts.
She shared “This has also become a concern for the minister, we at the center are also very worried about this, we want to immediately find a solution together with the center and the regions.”
The Minister added, “This [kind of behavior] has entered the criminal realm, of course, we support the police including the local government, of course, the steps of law enforcement need to be strengthened again.”
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Steve bm
Thursday 20th of February 2025
The Mafia security gang satpam with there big shiny kicking black boots renound for kicking the stuffing out of people
Steve bm
Thursday 20th of February 2025
Yes security they are angels ya probably want to get staunch then get hammered
Shorty
Wednesday 19th of February 2025
the billboards will achieve nothing.
J West
Tuesday 18th of February 2025
Bali is a victim of its own greed. Too many drug addled and drunken tourists of all ages, not enough space. To be fair, the post Covid tourist rush has come with a flood of tourist scum from many nations, and not just to Bali.
In Thailand, whole villages like Pai for ex, are being inundated with the worst type of violent young stoners who have come to 'party' , even if it means the destruction of a centuries old culture. Bali has fallen into the same toilet bowl culture. Villagers are reacting badly.
Pattaya and Phuket have been human garbage dumps for years but certain tourist groups make them worse. India and China are quickly catching up with Russia in the 'bad tourist' category. Where once it was mostly fat, bald, lecherous Euro/UK -trash , entire races of ignorance are now falling from the sky. Thai and Lao have a name for these swine..." Khi Nok" ...bird shit falling from the sky.
Which 'tourists' are the worst? IMHO it's the Russians, hands down. They have zero manners and default to crime and violence whatever the situation. Describing Russians as ' pigs farmers' is to give pig farmers a bad rap....nasty sewer rats have better manners. But Bali and Thai decided to take them in by the tens of thousands. Now there's a big problem...?
So Bali...don't complain if you're going to keep greed as the main focus of island culture.
Gary
Tuesday 18th of February 2025
How about the stabbing to death in Denpasar of a young Balinese man by a convicted murderer who had been released from prison by authorities, despite been a known killer? Was he a tourist? No mention of him, no? No, let's just moan about tourists.
Exp
Wednesday 19th of February 2025
@Gary, There is newer article promoting "tourism" in Denpasar. Not sure why as it is a place favored by thugs/gangs racing on their noisy motorbikes (due to the nice avenues). One wrong move by someone and they will pull "sharp weapons".