Officers Secure American Foreign National Wandering During Nyepi in Bali
Gianyar, Bali - Officers secured a foreign national from the United States named Karl Adolf Amrhein, who was caught walking on foot during the observance of Nyepi Day in the year Caka 1948 in Gianyar Regency, Bali, on Thursday.
Gianyar Police Chief AKBP Chandra Citra Kesuma explained that the incident occurred on Thursday, 19 March 2026, around 07:15 WITA on Jalan Raya Sukawati, Sukawati Village/District, Gianyar.
The incident began when Pecalang of Adat Sukawati Village, I Dewa Gede Sukadana, along with his colleagues, were monitoring the area as part of Nyepi security measures.
While passing the location, the officers spotted a foreign national walking with a bag.
Upon seeing this, the witness immediately approached and attempted to communicate.
However, the foreign national did not respond to the questions asked.
The Pecalang then coordinated with other officers and brought the foreign national to the Sukawati Police Station.
Once at the police station, the foreign national admitted to walking from a villa in the Ubud area because his stay had expired and there was no vehicle available to take him to find new accommodation.
“Upon receiving this admission, Sukawati Police Station personnel, assisted by Pecalang of Adat Sukawati Village, explained that Nyepi is currently being observed on the island of Bali, during which no activities are allowed for one day,” he said.
After explaining that all activities in Bali are temporarily halted for Nyepi Day, the foreign national was offered a place to rest at the Sukawati Police Station headquarters until the following day.
However, the individual refused and requested help to find accommodation. Sukawati Police Station officers, along with Pecalang of Adat Sukawati Village, then coordinated with a villa in Banjar Gelumpang, Sukawati Village.
After reaching an agreement on accommodation, the male foreign national, born in Massachusetts, United States, was escorted using an official vehicle to the villa to rest until Nyepi ended.
The Gianyar Police Chief urged all foreign tourists to respect the rules and local wisdom prevailing in Bali, especially during Nyepi Day, to maintain order and harmony together.