Thousands denied entry to Bali

Thousands denied entry to Bali

DENPASAR, Bali: Bali authorities have barred nearly 8,000 non- Balinese Indonesians from entering the resort island through Gilimanuk port -- nearest to East Java -- since the Oct. 12 terrorist attack for failing to produce proper identity documents.

"There is no compromise. They have to return to their respective areas of origin to obtain the documents," Dede Heryandhy, head of the residents registration, manpower and transmigration office in Jembrana regency, said on Tuesday.

He said the port security authorities had found 3,431 people without ID cards and 4,558 others with expired ID cards during regular checks over the past month. The people were mostly destined for the provincial capital of Denpasar and the neighboring town of Badung, Dede said.

The devastating explosion in Kuta, which is situated in Badung regency, killed at least 190 people.

Governor I Dewa Beratha has ordered an increase in security measures at all access points to Bali in the wake of the carnage. -- Antara