Indonesia’s Deputy Tourism Minister, Ni Luh Puspa, has been talking to the media about her vision for a safer and more orderly tourism ecosystem in Bali.
The Minister, speaking in response to a series of high-profile criminal cases involving foreigners in Bali, gave her assurances that the island will remain a safe place for all.
Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Luh Puspa has confirmed that the Ministry of Tourism will be working in partnership with the Bali Regional Police to ensure that law and order is upheld across the island.
Her comments come in response to news that the nine foreign criminals wanted in connection with the kidnap, assault, and aggravated robbery of a Ukrainian man in the Uluwatu area in December.
In a separate case, three British nationals remain in police custody after being arrested at Bali Airport last week while carrying Class A drugs.
The Minister explained, “We continue to coordinate with the police, mainly the Bali Regional Police, regarding how to create a sense of security for tourists, including taking firm action when there is a violation.”
“Because what has been done has been a criminal act. So it automatically becomes the domain of the police, and we continue to coordinate at the central level.”
She also confirmed that she wanted Bali Police to train and deploy more staff who feel confident speaking English since the majority of international tourists to Bali are English speakers.
Minister Ni Lih Pupsa shared, “Some time ago in Bali, I attended a [meeting] conducted by the National Police. I convey how the National Police also encourages many more or increases the number of tourism police who can speak English. So we also encourage it as an effort to create a sense of security for tourists who travel in Indonesia.”
Speaking in the same meeting, the Deputy for Destination and Infrastructure Development, Hariyanto, confirmed that an MoU will be created to seal this agreement into place. He agreed that low levels of law enforcement in some areas of Bali have created a space for crime to grow.
He confirmed the MoU will help by “Increasing the number of tourism police, increasing the quality of the number of human resources by offering education and training, and increasing the capacity of its human resources at Poltekpar Bali and others.”
The statements from the Ministry of Tourism echo those issued by Bali’s Police Chief Inspector General, Daniel Adityajaya, in his circular letter issued to 40 consulate generals in Bali this week.
He is calling for more support and cooperation from consulate generals in Bali to firstly help support Bali Police in the event a foreigner is implicated in a crime and, secondly, to better communicate the laws and customs of Bali and Indonesia more broadly to visitors.
General Adityajaya was clear that stricter law enforcement would be implemented across Bali. He noted, “The current tendency is to increase [public security and order efforts for] both traffic violations and criminal acts that not only involve foreigners as victims but also foreigners as perpetrators.”
Talk of crime rates and tourist safety in Bali has been a hot topic over the last week after the Head of Public Relations for Bali Police, Senior Commissioner Ariasandy, confirmed that nine criminals wanted in connection with the kidnapping of a Ukrainian national are likely still on the island nearly two months after the incident took place.
Senior Commissioner Ariasandy said, “It seems like they are [still in Bali]. We can’t be sure; they could have left earlier before we coordinated. But most of them seem to be in Bali.”
Speaking to reporters on Monday, 10th February, the Head of the Bali Tourism Office, Tjok Bagus Pemayun, confirmed that though crime figures have been increasing, especially those involving foreigners, the province remains a safe and welcoming tourist destination.
He called for tourists and foreigners visiting the province to review the list of Do’s and Don’ts published in 2023 to help guests in the region better respect and observe local law and customs.
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