Bali Police have confirmed the arrest of twelve security guards employed by Finns Beach Club in connection with a brawl with foreign tourists on Tuesday, 11th February.
Video footage of the violent altercation went viral online, and one Australian man has also been arrested in connection with the incident.
The Head of Public Relations of the Bali Police, Senior Commissioner Ariasandy, confirmed the latest details of the ongoing case to the media on Wednesday 19th February.
Bali Police’s General Criminal Investigation Directorate arrested a 28-year-old Australian man, known by his initials MR on Monday 17th February.
Twelve security personnel from Finns Beach Club in Canggu, including the Head of Security, 53-year-old INM, have now been arrested by Bali Police.
Commissioner Ariasandy told reporters, “The report handled by the Bali Police Criminal Investigation Directorate has named MR as a suspect and detained him. On the other hand, the report of this group of foreigners at the Badung Police has examined dozens of witnesses and after a case conference, 12 security guards have been named as suspects.”
He added, “They were named as suspects, meaning the evidence is clear. There are witnesses and CCTV camera recordings. Of course, investigators are not only working on the viral video. The circulating video is a series of it. The viral video is the final part, and the hit happens outside. The beginning of the incident was actually inside.”
One of the key reasons why the twelve security guards were arrested is after the foreigners on the other side of the altercation created a police report and because the fight took place outside the venue rather than inside the jurisdiction of the security guard’s workplace.
Commissioner Ariasandy explained, “They were seen on CCTV and admitted to being involved in the fight. So, from the results of the CCTV footage investigation at Finns Beach Club Bali and the security statements, there was a procedural error in handling the guests.”
He confirmed “They made a procedural error. Because at the TKP (fight location) it was outside their domain as security.” Commissioner Ariasandy noted that the foreigners had apologized after being removed from the venue, but claimed that they were then abused further by the security officers.
Commissioner Ariasandy told reporters, “When the foreigner was secured, they still beat him. Tied up, still kicked and beaten. That’s what triggered the foreigner or his friend to get angry.”
The guards have been charged with Article 170 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code and now face a maximum penalty of 5 years and 6 months in prison.
Commissioner Ariasandy reiterated that the investigation is ongoing and that further updates will be issued in due course.
He shared “These are two different reports. Both reports are still running according to the procedures and evidence available. There is an Australian citizen who has been named a suspect and detained.”
He added, “Then the police report reported in Badung by a Foreign Citizen regarding the assault has been processed, and 12 security personnel were named as suspects.”
The incident has triggered a fresh round of dialogue in Bali around the impact of mass tourism, cultural respect, security, and law enforcement.
The viral video even caught the attention of the Indonesian Deputy Minister for Tourism, Ni Luh Puspa, who spoke to reporters about her commitment to helping develop stricter law enforcement across Bali’s top resorts.
The Minister 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.”
She concluded, “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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Randy
Monday 24th of February 2025
The balisun is a major news online outlet read by people worldwide or having an interest of what’s happening in Bali. If the foreign entitled residents or what have you need a depth into the local news, I suggest them in reading on another outlet (English version) to get the full on news (be it crimes, accidents and politics that involved only Indonesians). I am here to defend the truth to the best of my knowledge, having a balanced narrative from experience and from friends’ unbiased testimonials (both foreign friends in Indonesia and locals) while some others on here may want to undermine assimilation whenever they get a chance. Many expats and residents feel they they are still guests in this country, they obey the law, they assimilate to get an understanding of the culture and people. They do NOT feel having a sense of ownership of the island unlike some Entitled Aussies who feel deeply of the Island for all the questionable reasons. Sigh... The same mentality goes for Americans regarding Mexico as if the country’s coastal beaches are their playground and only they can make the rules. Wrong...
This balisun is only posting news involving both locals and foreign tourists of the awareness of public safety, visa violation, weather and cultural events that do NOT appear in the Indonesian newspapers, TV or online news. It’s not hard to read what they have to offer to the readers on here.
So STOP blaming them for having a one sided biased news that appear each day which involves some stupid “younger tourists” doing bad things. Some entitled readers on here may appear quick to jump on the band wagon to point the finger at and sending a message that Bali’s economy is driven by foreigners and therefore they cannot go hungry each day on the island, it sounds as if the Indonesians should be more EXTRA grateful and should be bowing to the “White men“ feet. Anyone regardless with that kind of mentality precedes the White colonial mindset of their forefathers.
JR
Sunday 23rd of February 2025
Wow. Sucks to work at Finns
George
Sunday 23rd of February 2025
Any violent behaviour by any person in Bali is unacceptable. Good work by Bali Polisi investigating thoroughly and pressing charges against both tourists and local people
Randy
Sunday 23rd of February 2025
These local security guards have been arrested for not doing their jobs and keeping peace. They were not supposed to continue harassing these white Entitled men outside the club. If the fight was involved inside the premises therefore there is every reason to get the white culprits a lesson they would not forget.
However that is not the case, the local enforcement has managed to arrest the security guards but that was not enough. The white entitled people (Most presumably) on here start jumping on the band wagon to point the finger at the Brown people. Damn if the local enforcement did bring justice and damn if they do not investigate. So what do you want more people!!
Bali has become a place with how foreigners see it as a free for all. But when hey break the law, they pretend not to know or act naive. And an easier way to scream CORRUPTION at others when in fact they are also complicit in the process. I can image Ni Luh Djelantik having a big plate on her hands to deal with immature foreigners on Bali. Sigh...
Sven
Tuesday 25th of February 2025
@Randy, can Balisun moderators check and moderate this commentators endless nonsense and misinformation mixed with insults, racism, etc.
Rusty212
Sunday 23rd of February 2025
Beach Club.It's just a pool area full of drunks.Get rid of the alcohol and problem solved.