Immigration Chief: Foreigners Banned from Organising Events in Indonesia After Bali Run Controversy

Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko has stressed that foreign nationals are prohibited from organising events in Indonesia, as such activities do not comply with prevailing immigration regulations. He stated that foreign nationals are only permitted to participate as crew or official team members in events featuring international performers. “Foreigners cannot act as if they can create their own rules and exclusivity within Indonesia’s jurisdiction,” he said. As a follow-up to the alleged violation, the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office has summoned the guarantor of the two foreign nationals, PT SIG, to clarify their activities while in Indonesia and whether these were consistent with their residence permits. If the guarantor is found to have violated immigration provisions, legal action will be taken in accordance with the law. The Directorate General of Immigration had previously imposed a ban on two Dutch nationals suspected of organising the Entourage Run event in Bali. The individuals, identified by the initials JAS, 35, who held a Limited Stay Permit for work, and HQV, 37, who held an investor Limited Stay Permit, left Indonesia on Wednesday, 23 July, via I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport bound for Singapore aboard a KLM flight and have been placed on the blacklist. Hendarsam reiterated that the immigration function is not only to provide services to foreigners but also to maintain public order, ensure legal certainty, and protect the public interest from any breach of immigration regulations.