Governor Koster Responds to Questioning of Seven Bali Provincial Officials Over Foreign Tourist Levy

Bali Governor Wayan Koster spoke out regarding seven officials from the Bali Provincial Government who were questioned by the Attorney General’s Office regarding the Foreign Tourist Levy (PWA).

Koster confirmed the matter, explaining that the Attorney General’s Office sought information and complete data regarding the levy. “I received a call from the Attorney General’s Office, and in fact the Attorney General’s Office is helping by providing recommendations so that the foreign tourist levy can be more optimally collected,” Koster said when met at the Bali Governor’s Office on Monday (16 March 2026).

According to him, the suboptimal collection is due to not all relevant agencies being involved, such as Immigration. This is because the regional regulation is still in the process of being updated for cooperation with Immigration. “This includes the cooperation process with Immigration, but it requires a legal framework above it, so it is not easy for Immigration because all policy activities are governed by regulations,” he explained.

Koster identified the officials who were called, including the Regional Budget and Finance Agency (BPKAD), Civil Service Police (Satpol PP), Head of Legal Bureau, Tourism Office, and Tax Office (Bapenda). “There are seven, and they have all finished their questioning. I have been informed that the Attorney General will help ensure the PWA can be optimal,” said the governor from Buleleng.

He stressed that there was no embezzlement of levy funds. Foreign tourists who pay the levy do so entirely through digital means and the funds go directly into the regional treasury account. “There is no loophole for corruption or misappropriation. Whatever is received goes straight into the regional treasury account,” he explained.

Koster reiterated that the levy is deemed suboptimal because not all relevant agencies are involved. “So what needs to be addressed is not the investigation itself, but how to involve Immigration in the levy collection process,” he emphasised.