In July this year, the Director General of Immigration, Silmy Karim, announced that he would be establishing a dedicated Tourism Task Force to crack down on badly behaved tourists in Bali.
This task force organized by the central government came in addition to localized task forces established by the provincial and regency governments in Bali.
Following a sharp rise in the number of tourists conducting illegal or disrespectful behavior in Bali, leaders across the island and the central government were clear there would be a zero-tolerance approach to foreigners who broke the law or disrespected local culture.
Incidences of illegal acidity included working or operating businesses on tourist or visitor visas, robbery, public indecency, and breaking traffic laws.
Speaking at the time of the announcement of the formation of the Bali Beck Task Force Director General Karim explained, “We hope that with the formation of the Bali Becik Task Force, the level of violations of laws and norms by foreigners in Bali will decrease.”
He added that the immigration control operations would be conducted “Following the issuance of 12 Obligations and 8 Prohibitions for Foreigners by the Provincial Government of Bali.” This list of do’s and don’ts for tourists was issued by ex-Governor Koster before his term ended in September.
The Do’s and Don’ts for tourists are a comprehensive list of behaviors tourists should abide by during their visit to Bali in order to stay within the law, respect local Balinese culture, and ultimately have an enjoyable stay.
Director General Karim issues his Bali Beck Task Force with completing one hundred immigration control operations a month by the end of the year. The Bali Becik Task Force has been in operation in Denpasar and Singaraja in North Bali over the last two weeks to monitor foreigners’ behavior on the island.
At the time of the announcement, Karim’s description of an immigration control operation was a far-reaching one.
It could include everything from targeted raids on accommodation based on substantiated reports of criminal activity or a simple stop-and-chat interaction between officers and tourists on the street or at tourist attractions.
Bali Becik Task Force has given an update about their recent activities. Between 31st October and 3rd November, three teams were stationed at Ngurah Rai, Denpasar, and Singaraja.
In Ngurah Rai, officers visited Pullman Bali Legian Beach, Bollywood Masalz, Queen of India Bali, Clubmed Bali, Finns Beach Club, and Rob Peetoom Hair Spa.
Of the 60 foreigners who were stopped by officers, all were found to be compliant with the law and able to present documents to officers when asked.
In a statement issued on Wednesday 8th November, the Director of Immigration Supervision, Safar M. Godam, shared, “The first day of operations was relatively minimal [immigration violations], we are optimistic that this is due to the increasing awareness of foreigners in complying with applicable immigration regulations.”
Over the course of the five days, a total of 222 immigration control checks took place across 43 points across the Ngurah Rai, Denpasar, and Singaraja areas.
Godam reveals, “Of this number, only nine foreigners required further treatment from the local immigration office because they committed violations such as not being able to show travel documents [including passports], activities that were not in accordance with their residence permit or addresses that did not match the application.”
Godam said that 54 notes of appreciation were given to tourists by the Bali Becik Tourism Task Force officers as a gesture of gratitude for their compliance with Indonesian law.
Godam concluded, “With the Bali Becik Task Force, we are trying to ensure a Bali that is free from violations by foreigners.”
As the festive season approaches, more officers will be out and about in Bali, checking in with tourists to ensure that everyone is safe and behaving in accordance with the law.
The updates from the Bali beck team come with a s timely reminder to tourists to always carry their passports on them and to be able to present onward travel documents and proof of accommodation when asked by police, tourism task force officers, or the civil service on request.
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Exp
Tuesday 14th of November 2023
Yep. Chase the tourists.
Meanwhile a UK couple robbed at knifepoint of their personal jewelries (worth 570 Juta) in Jl Padma Utara Legian. I'm quite sure the robbers where hanging about in the area and spotted the tourists wearing gold jewelries. This is a major issue here that police is not cracking down on gangsters -- who has no particular jobs hanging around in the tourist area? For what?
Shorty
Sunday 19th of November 2023
@Exp, Wearing and carrying USD36,000,000 worth of jewellery??? Bloody stupid.
J West
Tuesday 14th of November 2023
Let’s hope the Bali Police patrolling the streets aren’t as corrupted/corruptible as every other police force in Asia. Bali has allowed a huge population of corrupt “tourists” and there is no doubt their mixed cultural corruption is being shared with low paid Bali cops.
Exp
Friday 17th of November 2023
@J West, Ha. I spat out my coffee again.
Firechef
Tuesday 14th of November 2023
Tourists will take a big chance carrying all of those documents on their person at all times with all of those pickpockets and other thieves around.
Shorty
Friday 17th of November 2023
@Exp, It's easy, simple and common sense. In 35+ years they've been accepted.
I carry..
1. A laminated copy of the main passport page. 2. My Balinese vehicle licences and registration - prior to that the International Permit lived under the bike seat or in the car glovebox. 3. A reduced copy of my KITAS under the clear cover on my phone. Imigrasi at the airport have accepted it.
For tourists carry you hotel business card.
Exp
Wednesday 15th of November 2023
@Firechef, They check for "documents", but there is no clear information on arrival or online what are the documents foreigners required to carry at all time in Indonesia:
1. Original passport or is copy of passport sufficient? 2. If KITAS/KITAP, - do people also need to carry passport or copy of passport? - do people also need to show SKTT/KTP? - or is it sufficient to only bring SKTT/KPT?
All designed to be ambiguous, hence more likely the foreigner do a costly "mistake".
Elliot
Tuesday 14th of November 2023
Of the 60 foreigners who were stopped by officers, all were found to be compliant with the law and able to present documents to officers when asked.
You mean they all paid them off on the spot.
BaliDuck
Monday 13th of November 2023
"Following a sharp rise in the number of tourists conducting illegal or disrespectful behavior in Bali, leaders across the island and the central government were clear there would be a zero-tolerance approach to foreigners who broke the law or disrespected local culture." Great news. Europe and Australia should do the same.
J West
Tuesday 14th of November 2023
@BaliDuck, And if Hamas would stop shoving babies into microwaves we’d be well on our way towards a better world.