Those disruptive tourists are not needed in Bali
Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA) - Bali needs no disruptive foreign tourists that violate the law, as they would only cause havoc in the region, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan stated.

"On (nuisance) tourists, we have spoken with Mr Governor (I Wayan Koster). Those disruptive tourists are not needed in Bali," the minister emphasized on the sidelines of his review at the Kesiman Kertalangu Integrated Landfill in Denpasar, Bali, on Thursday.

He highlighted the central government's support for the Bali government's efforts to enact the island's regulations and norms as well as their measures to impose strict action on foreign visitors found violating them.

"Mr. Governor already knows what he will do," he remarked.

On the same occasion, Bali Governor I Wayan Koster spoke of having hosted a meeting with relevant stakeholders comprising chief of the Bali Police Department Inspector General Putu Jayan Danu Putra, head of the Bali Office of the Law and Human Rights Ministry Anggiat Napitupulu, and representatives of the immigration office in Bali.

They discussed about foreign tourists, who act as they please and violate the laws, thereby disrupting peace among locals, he elaborated.

Koster remarked that the regional government will form a team that will monitor foreign nationals' activities and take firm action against those found disturbing peace and causing concern among locals.

"We have identified (the problem), and integrated handling will be conducted," the governor remarked.

He affirmed that the said integrated team will commence its activity this month.

"Yes, in the near future, this month," Koster noted.

Currently, the team, comprising the Bali government, Bali Police Department, Bali office of the Law and Human Rights Ministry, immigration office, and public order officer, is still conducting further probe into some cases of violations by foreign nationals, he elaborated.

In the last few months, instances of disruptive foreigners have caught the public's attention. Those foreigners rode motorbikes without proper permits and protection, violated traffic rules, made counterfeit identity cards, and worked illegally.

Head of the immigration division at the Bali office of the Law and Human Rights Ministry, Barron Ichsan, stated that throughout January until the second week of March 2023, some 22 foreign nationals had been sanctioned by the immigration office over violation of the immigration administrative regulations.

Of the 22, five are Russians, making them the group with the most number of violators, he stated.

"Throughout 2023, some 22 foreign nationals are (sanctioned for violation of) immigration administrative regulations. Five of them are Russians, (so) indeed (that group) has the highest number," Ichsan stated at the Immigration Office in Denpasar, Bali, on Wednesday, March 8.

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Translator: Genta Tri Mawangi, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Sri Haryati
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