Bali To Show ‘No Mercy’ Against Tourists Behaving Badly 

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Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster has issued a serious warning to tourists in Bali. The provincial leader has declared that he will take a ‘no mercy’ approach to foreigners who are found to have been breaking the law or disrespecting Balinese culture.

The statements come after an American national was arrested and deported after going on a rampage in a hospital on the island under the influence of narcotics.

The 27-year-old US citizen, known by his initials MM, tested positive for drugs, though was deported from Indonesia without criminal prosecution as ‘no evidence’ was found to charge him with drug possession. He has been added to the blacklist and will be denied entry to Indonesia in the future.

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The Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Denpasar Police, Commissioner Laurens Raja Mangapul Haselo revealed to reporters the results of the investigation into the incident. “There are indications of drugs.”

“We are sure because when he was in the hospital and started to regain consciousness, we interrogated him, the perpetrator said that he felt like he was in another world when the incident happened and was shocked and then rebelled. That was when we thought that there must be indications of drugs. After a urine test, the results were positive for THC and cocaine.” 

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In light of the incident on Saturday, on the afternoon of Monday 14th April Governor Koster held a press conference with the Head of Bali Immigration Directorate, Parlindungan, and the Head of the Bali Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun. 

Governor Koster told the media, “So today (14/04) is the first momentum for me as Governor to take firm and tough action against foreign tourists who behave badly while in Bali Province. So there is no mercy and we hope that the deportation carried out will be a lesson and a warning to all foreign tourists visiting Bali to obey the law, and respect Balinese culture and local wisdom.”

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He continued to confirm more details of the incident regarding MM, as reported to police. Governor Koster said that MM had been taken to the Nusa Medika Pratama Clinic in Uluwatu on Saturday morning.

Though he was unconscious when he arrived, accompanied by a friend, upon regaining consciousness, MM went on a rampage within the clinic, evening hitting his friend, frightening other patients on the ward, and causing damage to equipment. 

Koster continued “After coming to his senses, the perpetrator did not calm down. He instead acted aggressively, causing a fight, threatening other patients, and causing damage. This cannot be tolerated.” 

The case is reported to have been ‘resolved peacefully’ after MM was taken to Denpasar Police who worked with the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office to coordinate his deportation.

Police Commissioner Laurens also confirmed that MM paid IDR 35 million in damages, and no further action was taken as a peace agreement was made.

Though MM was visiting Bali on a visa on arrival that was valid until 1st May, he departed from Bali Airport on a flight at 7 pm on Monday evening. 

Governor Koster told the media “Bali is an open house. But that doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want. Anyone who comes must respect Balinese law, customs, and culture.”

He emphasized “Don’t let our tourism image be damaged by inappropriate behavior. If we follow other countries, they are orderly in their own countries. Try going to Japan, America, Europe, and Australia, their citizens are orderly in their own countries. But if they come to Bali then they are naughty? This is strange, so there is no mercy for this, this kind of thing must be dealt with firmly.”

Governor Koster cited deportation figures for the first three months of the year, noting that this zero-tolerance approach will be upheld moving forward.

He shared “I need to convey, from January to March 31, 2025, a total of 128 foreign nationals were deported from Bali. The most were from Russia, 32 people, the United States 10 people, Ukraine 8 people, then Australia, India, and Timor Leste each 6 people.”

He confirmed that more new regional regulations and laws will be put into place to help further crack down on foreigners who break the law and disrespect local customs in Bali.

These policies will help strengthen legislation stipulated in the Circular of the Governor of Bali Number 7 of 2025 concerning the New Order for Foreign Tourists, which is an update to  SE Number 4 of 2023.