Foreign Woman Kicked Out of Lombok After Outburst Over Quran Recitation

The East Lombok Immigration Office, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), deported Miranda Lee Pearson. The New Zealand citizen had previously caused a disturbance at a mosque in Gili Trawangan, complaining about the volume of a Quran recitation, which she found disruptive.

Head of the Class II Non-TPI East Lombok Immigration Office, Iqbal Rifai, stated that Miranda Lee was deported because she had exceeded the allowed duration of her stay.

“The investigation revealed that she had been residing in Indonesia longer than the permitted period,” said Iqbal Rifai on Wednesday (25/2/2026).

According to immigration records, Miranda Lee entered Indonesia on December 8, 2025, using a Visa on Arrival (VOA) valid for 30 days, expiring on January 6, 2026.

Based on the investigation, Miranda Lee was found to have violated the Minister of Law and Human Rights Decree No. M.HH-02.GR.01.04 of 2023 concerning Visa Classification. As a result, she was charged under Article 75, paragraph (1) of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration.

“Immigration officials are authorized to take administrative immigration actions against foreigners in Indonesia who engage in activities that are dangerous and reasonably suspected of endangering public safety and order, or who do not respect or comply with laws and regulations,” he stated.

As a follow-up, Iqbal added, the Class II Non-TPI East Lombok Immigration Office deported Miranda Lee and added her name to the list of individuals prohibited from entering Indonesia, in accordance with applicable regulations.

“She was deported via I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali to Perth Airport, Australia,” he said.

(dpw/dpw)