Police Explain Why No Criminal Charges for Man Who Harassed Taiwanese Tourist in Lovina

Police have not pursued criminal proceedings against a man who harassed a Taiwanese tourist in the Lovina tourist area of Buleleng, Bali. No legal process was undertaken because the Taiwanese woman who was the victim did not file a report, even though Buleleng Police contacted her through coordination with the Taiwan Police Attaché.

Buleleng Police Chief AKBP Ruzi Gusman said police acted after learning that a video of the alleged harassment was circulating on social media. Police then attempted to contact the victim to confirm her condition and obtain a direct statement.

“I happened to have a contact at the Taiwan Police Attaché. As soon as we saw on social media that she was from Taiwan, we contacted the superintendent there to reach the victim directly,” Ruzi said on Wednesday (26/8/2026).

The effort eventually produced results. The victim responded to police communication via email. She told police that she was disappointed with the treatment she received, but chose not to report the incident formally to the police.

“She stated that she was indeed quite disappointed, but said that it was enough to report it and she did not want to pursue the matter further,” Ruzi said.

Ruzi said police also offered the victim an online reporting mechanism. However, the victim still chose not to file a report. As a result, police could not proceed with criminal charges because the case is a complaint-based offence.

Nevertheless, police have not simply ignored the matter. Ruzi said they will still provide guidance and a deterrent effect to the suspected perpetrator through measures outside the criminal process.

“Even though it is a complaint-based offence, we are not staying silent and letting him get away with just an apology. There must be a deterrent effect. He must be told that his actions were wrong,” Ruzi stressed.

“We will still impose sanctions on the person concerned, but perhaps social sanctions. I will try to carry out punishment outside the criminal route,” Ruzi added.

Ruzi stressed that the action against the foreign tourist cannot be justified because it has the potential to have a broader impact on the image of tourism in Buleleng and Bali. Ruzi also reminded people of the importance of maintaining the safety and comfort of tourists. Moreover, Buleleng is currently working to boost its tourism sector.

“What he did was small, but the impact is very large for Bali, for Indonesia. We do not want this. We must all realise that security is an absolute factor in tourism. Buleleng’s tourism is starting to rise. Do not let something like this mean no one wants to come anymore. Who loses? We do,” Ruzi explained.

As is known, the harassment experienced by the Taiwanese woman occurred while she was creating outfit of the day (OOTD) content on the roadside in the Lovina area. A local man she did not know then approached the victim.

The man initially acted friendly by inviting the victim to shake hands and wishing her a happy holiday. However, the handshake lasted a long time. The Taiwanese woman then realised that the perpetrator was directing her hand towards the man’s genitals.

The incident went viral after the victim uploaded it to her Instagram account @aurosa_a. In the content, the victim was crying on her way back to her accommodation. The unpleasant incident also left her traumatised.