Council Requests Bali Provincial Government to Enhance Outreach on Nyepi to Foreign Tourists

Chairman of Commission II of the Bali DPRD, Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih or Ajus Linggih, has requested the Bali Provincial Government (Pemprov Bali) to enhance outreach regarding the rules during Nyepi Day. This comes in response to the behaviour of a foreign tourist named Luzian Andrin Zgraggen, who is suspected of insulting the Nyepi celebration in Bali.

“Outreach regarding holidays in specific regions of Indonesia that need to be understood by visiting tourists,” said Ajus to detikBali on Thursday (26/3/2026).

Ajus encouraged Pemprov Bali to coordinate with the Ministry of Immigration to disseminate the meaning of Nyepi to foreign tourists. In this way, he stated, tourists can prepare themselves before the Nyepi series takes place.

Previously, the Swiss tourist named Luzian Andrin Zgraggen was arrested by police for allegedly insulting Nyepi Day in Bali. The foreign man has been designated as a suspect and is currently detained at the Bali Police Detention Centre.

“In the meantime, we are holding him at the Bali Police Detention Centre,” said the Head of Public Relations of Bali Police, Commissioner Ariasandy, in Nusa Dua on Tuesday (24/3).

The alleged insult to Nyepi went viral on social media. In his post, Luzian wrote a sentence with a coarse tone regarding the implementation of Nyepi in Bali on Thursday (19/3).

The Swiss tourist initially complained about the rule prohibiting wandering outside during Nyepi in Bali. Luzian then stated that he would not heed the Nyepi rules. Consequently, the foreign tourist’s post went viral, sparking strong reactions from netizens.

“A day of silence where you’re not allowed to go outside in Bali is pretty peaceful outside :), fuck Nyepi day and fuck your rules too.” This was Luzian’s post on Instagram.

Luzian is charged under Article 301 paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP). This article regulates the dissemination of content containing elements of insult through information technology means.

Furthermore, Luzian is also suspected of violating Article 300 letter b of the KUHP. The post by the tattooed foreign man is deemed to contain hate speech or enmity towards groups or communities based on religion or beliefs in Indonesia. Investigators have confirmed that the criminal elements have been fulfilled.