In brief
Bali’s immigration authorities announced a ban on two Dutch expats for organising an unauthorized 'disco run' that attracted criticism for rejecting Indonesian applicants. The run, run by a group called Entourage Bali, faced accusations of discrimination against locals while welcoming foreigners. Authorities cited the lack of permits and the practice of creating a ‘state‑within‑state’ on the island. Entourage claimed the controversy stemmed from automated approval errors and pledged to correct it. The incident highlights growing tensions over digital nomad communities and inclusive tourism on Bali.
Indonesia’s immigration authorities today banned two Dutch nationals, aged 35 and 37, after they organized an un‑permitted running event that reportedly favored foreigners over local Indonesians.
The event, promoted by the expatriate‑focused group Entourage Bali and advertised as a “disco run”, sparked backlash when online posts surfaced claiming the club’s organisers rejected Indonesian members while automatically accepting foreign applicants.
Authorities said the men violated local regulations by conducting the run without the required permits and that the club was acting as a “state‑within‑state” on the island, a phrase used by Indonesia’s immigration chief Hendarsam Marantoko.
Entourage Bali released a statement asserting that all participants are welcome and that the controversy stemmed from an “error in the automated approval process” that mistakenly denied some Indonesian numbers. The group added it would pause all events until it could guarantee inclusive participation.
The ban reflects a broader effort by Bali’s governor, I Wayan Koster, to clamp down on unlicensed commercial activity by digital nomads and to address growing tensions over exclusionary practices on the island.
The incident underscores the challenges faced by Bali as a tourist hub increasingly crowded by expatriates and digital nomads, raising questions about integration and local equity in the island’s rapidly expanding economy.
