Late last month, Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster issued a circular letter, a form of legislative policy update, focusing on ‘New Order for Foreign Tourists While in Bali.”
The policy updates have been well-received by tourism businesses in the province, but the legislative changes could result in the closure surveillance of tourists to ensure that everyone is behaving legally and culturally respectfully.
Speaking to the media following the publication of the “Circular Letter (SE) No. 07 of 2025 concerning New Regulations for Foreign Tourists During Their Stay in Bali,” Governor Koster was clear that the rules’ updates are important, as is their enforcement.
The policy updates for 2025, don’t actually contain any noteworthy changes to the do’s and don’ts first outlined in 2033.
However, Governor Koster and the provincial government are most concerned about the enforcement and application of these rules.
Governor Koster explained, “This [circular letter] is not just an appeal but will be enforced through integrated supervision involving the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) and tourism institutions in Bali.”
He added “We have prepared a special team to conduct an operation. Foreign tourists who are naughty will be immediately dealt with firmly.”
He concluded that the New Order for Foreign Tourists in Bali is a call for visitors to “Sincerely respect the customs, traditions, arts and culture as well as the local wisdom of the Balinese people in the on-going ceremonies and ritual processions.”
The Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Asosocaiotn (PHRI) I Gusti Ngurah Suryawijaya, told reporters that he too wants to see stricter enforcement of the law when it comes to foreigners behaving badly and that greater surveillance and supervision is the way forward.
He explained “It’s just now [a case of] how far can the regulation be implemented. Especially the fitness of officers in the field later, consistently implementing the regulation.”
The next couple of weeks will noteworthy for tourism in Bali, as more security officers are out on the streets and stationed at top attractions to help support the influx of tourists for the Lebaran, Eid al-Fitr national holiday.
Tens of thousands of domestic tourists have travelled to Bali to enjoy the public holiday, in addition to the tens of thousands of international holidaymakers who visit the island each month.
The Bali Police Public Relations Chief, Senior Commissioner Pol. Ariasany, confirmed that so far, all security operations across the island are going smoothly.
He noted “Regarding the long holiday, there are a number of tourist attractions that are the focus of security because they are expected to be crowded with tourists. Some of them are Bedugul Botanical Gardens, Kuta, Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK), Sanur, Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Kintamani, Canggu, and other destinations.”
He added “This security is a preventive measure to ensure tourists feel comfortable and safe. We expect a spike in visits to occur during the Eid holiday.”
“This effort is carried out across sectors. In addition, we also appeal to tourism managers to emphasize to visitors to comply with the regulations in force at tourist locations.”
He called for all tourists to remain viligent during their vacation time, to obey the do’s and don’ts of Bali tourism, respect the environment and to report any suspicious activity to security teams.
Ariasany concluded “We urge tourists, both local and foreign, to always be careful and maintain their own safety. In crowded places, there is the potential for criminal acts that can harm all parties.”
While more security teams will be present over the Lebaran holiday in Bali, over the coming months, more updates are expected regarding increased surveillance of tourists in Bali as the provincial government looks to crack down on foreigners breaking the law and actively engaging in criminal activity in the province.
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Mr Bear Snr
Thursday 3rd of April 2025
Locals are regularly weaving their way through oncoming traffic on One Way streets, riding on footpaths after dark to short cut up One Way streets, forcing pedestrians onto the road. Then there are all the locals, 4 on a bike with no helmets and the local yahoos racing their modified bikes through peak hour traffic on Jl Legian. If tourists did this they'd be deported.
Steve bm
Tuesday 8th of April 2025
@Thommo, put them in wheelchairs for the other half of the day
Exp
Sunday 6th of April 2025
@Thommo, "Put the authorities on motorbikes for a day and tell them to ride slowly around to observe what goes on."
Well to my experience majority of locals will not spot "any issues" whatsoever and are unable to see how their actions affect others.
Example: A month ago I explained to some locals they could not burn their trash 5 meter upwind from our bedrooms as the smoke entered the villa (It is actually illegal by law). They agreed and killed the fire. Today they started burning rubber/plastic panels at the same spot with thick black smoke entering the villa. Clearly they just do not care about others when they pollute and take illegal actions.
Thommo
Sunday 6th of April 2025
@Mr Bear Snr, agree with you. The governance in Bali have a blind eye when it comes to acknowledging and dealing with their own community behaviour. Add to that the governances preoccupation with a very minor amount of tourist incidents and dialling down continuously when 99.9% of tourists are well behaved and respectful. Smacking the hands that feed you with do and donts is quite laughable and childish. When locals completely contradict them it is almost comical. Put the authorities on motorbikes for a day and tell them to ride slowly around to observe what goes on. They might observe the following... 1.Trash everywhere from locals. 2. Plastic/rubbish burning. Everywhere toxically polluting the air. 3. Rubbish dumping into roadside drains, creeks and empty fields. 4. Potholes everywhere that haven't been fixed for years.Resorts can put in nice roads but governance can't fix potholes on busy public roads. 5. Kids as young as 8 riding motorbikes everywhere.passing Polisi and pecalang. 6.Locals riding with no helmets and 3 or 4 on the bike.Many with no license or registration. 7. 99.9% of tourists actually enjoying their time in Bali. 8. Traffic chaos and dangerous to drive in.Appalling condition of roads. 9. Currency exchange scammers. 10. Debris on all their beaches and non tourist beaches are always full of trash because the locals are to lazy to clean it up. And so it goes on and on.
WAYAN BO
Thursday 3rd of April 2025
🇩🇴Anyway the Dominican Republic calling 🇩🇴🤣Why there are no direct flights from Bali to West Indian, mean Caribbean 🤣 Perhaps in Cuba more control than on our island, but no tourist tax and better cigars.
Exp
Thursday 3rd of April 2025
Nyepi completed without any issues reported with foreigners? So why the endless focus on disrespect by foreign visitors?
Major issue now is incident in Loloan Jembrana as many from the local community was out and about doing their business on Nyepi day, stalls open, even setting off firecrackers (!). Big meeting planned with Gov. Koster and muslim leaders.
From what I have seen online, some Balinese are pretty upset by this open disrespect.
Nyepi day Loloan Jembrana:
LINK
Randy
Wednesday 2nd of April 2025
Thailand for example is cracking down on foreign-owned condominiums that have been illegally offering daily rentals, mimicking,hotel operations without proper licenses. Increased public complaints, and reports of disturbances perpetrated by illegal rental activities.
And crimes may be much higher involving foreigners in Phuket and Pattaya rather than in Bali. Each month or week, there is a foreigner caught by the Thai authorities.
At least there is more surveillance in Indonesia to keep peace and stability among tourists and locals. Unruly behavior and disrespect to the local culture, customs and endangering both locals and foreigners would not be tolerated.
Local or foreign Tourists behaving badly in Bali has made the surveillance team to become more aggressive. For many law abiding local and foreign residents, more surveillance to keep peace and order is a breath of fresh air like it or not.
Steve bm
Thursday 3rd of April 2025
@Randy, the massive vendetta against tourists who prop up this island is happening solely to take away the focus of the many problems ...it's normal procedure for governments and media. By the way randy you need a proof reader
Randy
Wednesday 2nd of April 2025
Thailand for example is cracking down on foreign-owned condominiums that have been illegally offering daily rentals, mimicking,hotel operations without proper licenses. Increased public complaints, and reports of disturbances perpetrated by illegal rental activities.
And crimes may be much higher involving foreigners in Phuket and Pattaya rather than in Bali. Each month or week, there is a foreigner caught by the Thai authorities.
At least there is more surveillance in Indonesia to keep peace and stability among tourists and locals. Unruly behavior and disrespect to the local culture, customs and endangering both locals and foreigners would not be tolerated.
Local or foreign Tourists behaving badly in Bali has made the surveillance team to become more aggressive. For many law abiding local and foreign residents, more surveillance to keep peace and order is a fresh of breath air like it or not.