Bali Silent Disco Event Bans Indonesian Citizens, Badung Police Investigate Permit
An event titled Bali Silent Disco in the Canggu area of Bali has suddenly gone viral and sparked controversy after it was discovered that it prohibited Indonesian citizens (WNI) from participating. The event, packaged as a fun run, only allowed foreign nationals (WNA) or expatriates as participants.
Responding to this, Bali Police Head of Public Relations, Commissioner Aryasandi, stated that a team from the Badung Police is conducting an in-depth investigation into the event’s permits. The investigation is focused on the validity of the crowd permit and the truth of the discriminatory terms that barred local residents from taking part.
‘Badung Police are currently on the ground investigating whether there is an official permit from the nearest police station or not, and whether it is true that Indonesian citizens were prohibited from participating in the event,’ Aryasandi said.
The police are also tracing the identity of the event organisers. If foreign nationals are found to be involved in the management, the police will immediately coordinate with the Immigration office for further action.
Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, strongly condemned the event’s exclusivity. He considered the organiser’s action of banning local residents to be a form of discrimination and a violation of sovereignty.
‘The running event is a form of a state within a state. I have ordered the Bali Immigration officials to investigate the event organiser; if there are any foreign nationals involved, arrest them immediately,’ Hendarsam stated on Friday (24/7).
According to Immigration data, the event was organised by Entourage Bali with two Dutch nationals as the driving force, identified as JAS, 35, a holder of a Limited Stay Permit (ITAS) for work, and HQV, 37, a holder of an Investor ITAS. However, both are known to have left Indonesia for Singapore on Wednesday night (23/7).
Hendarsam stressed that foreign nationals are strictly prohibited from acting as event organisers (EO) in Indonesia. Foreigners are only permitted to be part of the official crew or team for events involving international artists.
As a follow-up, the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office has summoned PT SIG, the guarantor or sponsor of the two foreign nationals. The examination aims to investigate their activities while in Indonesia and ensure compliance with their residence permits.
‘If the guarantor or sponsor violates immigration regulations, we will process them according to the provisions. The state’s presence through the immigration function must guarantee justice and comfort for the community from any unlawful acts by foreigners,’ Hendarsam concluded.