Badung Regent Addresses Foreigner Running Event Controversy, Stresses Permits

The Regent of Badung, Bali, I Wayan Adi Arnawa, has responded to the controversy over a running event allegedly exclusive to foreign nationals that discriminated against Indonesian citizens in the Canggu area recently.

He emphasised the importance of permits and public order for activities held in public spaces.

Adi said the Badung Regency Government is committed to maintaining order in the organisation of activities in public spaces, following the controversy surrounding a community running event in the Canggu area, North Kuta District. He has received progress reports from relevant officials, whilst also commending the swift response of the police and the Kelian Adat and Kelian Dinas of Canggu, who carried out clarification on the ground.

“We appreciate the swift response of all parties who have conducted clarifications, so that this matter can be handled objectively and in accordance with applicable regulations,” Regent Adi Arnawa said in a written statement on Friday (24/7).

According to him, the Badung Regency Government in principle supports various community sporting activities as part of a healthy lifestyle for residents, whilst also strengthening the region’s image as an active and high-quality tourism destination.

However, when an activity develops into an event involving large crowds, commercial elements and entertainment in public spaces, the organiser is obliged to fulfil all applicable permit requirements.

“The principle is simple: whoever the organiser is, whether an Indonesian citizen or a foreign national, all activities that constitute an event must follow the permit procedures in accordance with the rules. There is no differential treatment,” Adi asserted.

He also instructed that, going forward, every activity initiated by or involving foreign nationals as the main organisers be coordinated up to the level of the resort police and regional police.

This step is considered important because activities involving foreign nationals have the potential to have cross-community and even cross-border impacts.

Beyond event permits, Regent Adi Arnawa stressed that matters concerning the immigration status of those named as responsible for the event fall entirely under the authority of the Immigration Office. The Badung Regency Government, he said, will support any law enforcement process carried out in accordance with prevailing laws and regulations.

“We leave it entirely to the immigration office to follow up according to its authority. The Badung Regency Government will fully support that process,” he said.

As an anticipatory measure, Regent Adi Arnawa also asked the Badung Regency Tourism Office, together with the customary village (Desa Adat) and official village (Desa Dinas) of Canggu, to develop a clearer and more integrated event notification mechanism.

The mechanism is expected to provide certainty for organisers whilst preventing public complaints relating to noise, order and fairness in the use of public spaces.

“Badung remains open to the world. But that openness must go hand in hand with order, propriety, respect for the law and respect for local communities. That is the principle we will continue to uphold in building Badung as a quality and sustainable tourism destination,” he said.

Previously, a running event alleged to discriminate against Indonesian citizens went viral on social media. The event, said to have been attended by a number of foreign nationals, was held by a community in the Canggu area some time ago.

Allegations of discrimination emerged after screenshots of conversations circulated showing prospective participants being screened based on nationality. In one screenshot, a person claiming to be an Indonesian citizen was rejected on the grounds that they could not be given access to the community.

Meanwhile, in another screenshot circulating on Instagram, someone claiming to be a German national had their application accepted. The post sparked protests, with netizens questioning the alleged restriction of participants based on nationality.

Netizens also highlighted the permitting aspect of the event, as the activity was said to have used roads and public spaces.

Meanwhile, through a post on an Instagram account in the name of Entourage, the organising committee of the running event in Canggu spoke out about the allegations that they discriminated against Indonesian citizens.

They denied accusations of discrimination by rejecting Indonesian citizens who wished to participate. They expressed regret over the disappointment felt by some who failed to take part in the event, whilst also denying the allegations of discrimination.

“First and foremost, we deeply regret that people have been offended and hurt, and we never intended to disrespect or discriminate against anyone,” Entourage wrote in its post.

They explained that Entourage was established as a community for digital nomads newly arrived in Bali, aiming to connect digital nomads to enjoy activities together.

A digital nomad refers to someone who works remotely without being tied to an office, allowing them to move from place to place whilst carrying out their work.

According to the organisers, being a digital nomad is not defined by nationality, and they claim the activities organised by Entourage are open in nature.

For instance, they said the running club they created is generally free and open to everyone without registration. Meanwhile, the special event held last Wednesday (22/7), which drew criticism, was the Disco Silent Run, their first ticketed event.

At that event, Indonesian participants were said to be in the majority, reaching 25 per cent. However, they admitted facing a technical problem with automatic approvals for the WhatsApp group and inactive events.

“Although we tried to create a place where digital nomads could meet, a bias occurred that caused some (but not all) +62 numbers/Indonesians to be incorrectly rejected,” they said.

Entourage has now halted all of its events and activities. They said they take responsibility for the error and for the accusations of discrimination against Indonesian citizens.

“We are temporarily stopping all of our events and activities. We take full responsibility for what has happened and promise to make real changes going forward,” they said.