The Indonesian Minister for Immigration, Agus Andrianto, has confirmed that he has ordered the deployment of the Bali Regional Immigration Patrol Task Force, known as Satgas.
The task force will be deployed in top tourism destinations across the province to crack down on unruly tourists visiting the island.
Speaking to reporters, Minister Andrianto explained that the deployment of the Immigration Patrol Task Force in top Bali tourism destinations is an implementation of the direction of President Prabowo Subianto. He told reporters that President Prabowo Subianto wants the security situation in Bali stabilized, especially since it is the flagship tourism destination of Indonesia.
Minister Andrianto shared, “The establishment of this Immigration Patrol Task Force is a follow-up from the President’s direction to ensure stability and security in Bali as one of Indonesia’s main tourist destinations.”
A deployment ceremony was held at Benoa Port this week. The ceremony was attended by 500 officers from Immigration and Correctional Agencies, the army, Bali Police, the Pamong Praja Police Unit (PP), and pecalang. As confirmed by Minister Andrianto, the legal basis of the Immigration Patrol Task Force is Law Number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration, Article 66 paragraph 2 letter b, Indonesian Government Regulation Number 31 of 2013, Article 181.
Minister Andrianto explained that the Bali Regional Immigration Patrol Task Force will be formed of a team of 100 on-the-ground officers who will be available to provide a rapid response to any foreigner reported to be breaking the law, disturbing public order, or disrespecting local culture.
He went on to explain that each officer on patrol will be fitted with a safety vest and a body camera. The Immigration Patrol team has been given official immigration department vehicles, including motorcycles, to conduct their patrols. The teams will be deployed across ten strategic locations within the jurisdiction of the Ngurah Rai and Denpasar Immigration Offices.
In North Kuta, teams will be deployed in Canggu, Seminyak, and Kerobokan. In Denpasar, teams will be deployed around Sanur’s Matahari Terbit Beach and Benoa. In Pecatu, officers will conduct patrols in Uluwatu Beach and in Bingin Beach, as well as Mertasari Beach. Patrols will be conducted in the resort area of Kuta, Nusa Dua, and throughout Ubud.
Speaking during the deployment ceremony, the Acting Director General of Immigration, Yuldi Yusman, explained that the commanders of the task force team would patrol in the zones prone to immigration violations. Then the patrol schedule will be applied periodically and randomly.
“Patrol Officers will patrol the predetermined route, especially in areas prone to immigration violations or areas where [international tourist] activities are concentrated. The patrol movement schedule is carried out periodically and randomly to avoid predictable patterns.”
He added, “In the future, we will continue to activate similar operations, both on a local scale, such as the Task Force’s routine patrol, and on a national scale, such as Wira Waspada. This is to help maintain the stability of national security, provide a preventive effect so that violations do not occur, and maintain public trust in immigration.”
In April 2025, in the weeks following his inauguration, Bali Governor Wayan Koster announced that he, his provincial government, and related agencies would be taking a ‘no mercy’ approach to foreigners found to be breaking the law or distracting Balinese culture.
Data from the Directorate General of Immigration shows that teams carried out immigration administrative actions (TAK) in the form of deportation of 607 cases and detention of 303 cases from November to December 2024, nationwide.
This number increased rapidly from January to July 2025, with 2,669 deportations and 2,009 detentions nationwide, with a sharp rise in the number of cases recorded in Bali.
Speaking on the 14th April 2025, Governor Koster announced, “Today 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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WAYAN BO
Sunday 10th of August 2025
Andy Warhol’s prediction was already a half century ago that time will come when each idiot will be a movie star for few minutes.
Shorty
Friday 8th of August 2025
The level of tourist antisocial and illegal behaviour is low. It's wildly disproportionate to the emphasis and actions Koster and others are taking. These actions along with the publicity given in the press - Bali Sun, Foreign media particularly Australia - are starting to portray Bali as a police state. In this case, if the police were to do their jobs effectively and efficiently there would be no need for the new group. As for almost daily mentions of crackdowns.....they mean bugger all and have had no effect in lowering crime or modifying anti social behaviour.
Randy
Tuesday 12th of August 2025
@Steve bm, say to my face!!
Randy
Tuesday 12th of August 2025
@Shorty, that’s strange!! I never said that. If they see something suspicious on body cam they would do something. A body cam cannot lie.
Shorty
Sunday 10th of August 2025
@Randy,
Randy you're naive and wrong. No one should be detained or questioned without reasonable doubt. If an event happens the first response should be the police. Imigrasi should only be involved if there's suspicion of visa breach.
Steve bm
Sunday 10th of August 2025
@Randy, puss off
Randy
Saturday 9th of August 2025
@Shorty, I beg to differ, have you read the paragraphs?? Here let me summarize it for you. Surely you would understand why...
“Speaking during the deployment ceremony, the Acting Director General of Immigration, Yuldi Yusman, explained that the commanders of the task force team would patrol in the zones prone to immigration violations. Then the patrol schedule will be applied periodically and randomly.”
“Patrol Officers will patrol the predetermined route, especially in areas prone to immigration violations or areas where [international tourist] activities are concentrated. The patrol movement schedule is carried out periodically and randomly to avoid predictable patterns.”
Kardis
Friday 8th of August 2025
What about policing Uluwatu too, for Russians and drugs.
Steve bm
Monday 11th of August 2025
@Randy, it's been here decades same as other nations underworld, there's a reason Cocaine Canngu is full of hippy surfing Muppets
Randy
Saturday 9th of August 2025
@Kardis, that’s a good idea! And Australian underground organized crimes taking a foot hold on the island.
Randy
Friday 8th of August 2025
Foreigners (visitors, residents and digital nomads) who obey the law like they would normally do back home and respect the local culture have nothing to fear period. It’s not rocket science!!! Just because a foreigner has money to spend or they come from a higher caste system, that they can do as they please abroad, will face a rude awakening in Indonesia.
Local law enforcement has enough on their hands to maintain law and order among their own people and adding foreigners breaking the law into the equation is hard to keep up. YES keep an eye on those who do not respect or start a brawl in tourist hot spots, or where they may hang out to drink and party. More tourists on the island crime also rises where the Indonesians are not accustomed to before.
Randy
Tuesday 12th of August 2025
@Exp, YOU ARE WRONG!! An intelligent foreigner would not follow what locals do. It’s easy to blame the other race, culture for your own insecurity period.
Exp
Friday 8th of August 2025
@Randy, "Just because a foreigner ... can do as they please abroad, will face a rude awakening in Indonesia."
You got it all wrong. Foreigners are just adapting to the local behaviour after observing what the locals get away with. However; they quickly learn it is two tier justice system and that locals love to scapegoat foreigners even for minor transgressions like not wearing a helmet and drive wearing t-shirt and sandals (all standard by locals).
Steve bm
Friday 8th of August 2025
So they going to do the police job !!. While they do that in the tourists so called areas can one day they arrest all the lokal street dealers of drugs and the fake money changers
Exp
Monday 11th of August 2025
@Steve bm, The tourist zones are "lahan basah" or wetlands. This has a special meaning for gov. people fighting tooth and nails for positions in these areas.
Previous president Megawati stated in 2023 that "three agencies in the government were included in the 'wetlands'. Starting from DG Immigration, DG Tax, and DG Customs."