Indonesia cracks down on unruly tourists to preserve Bali’s culture and charm

Indonesia is taking a tough stance on unruly foreign visitors in Bali to preserve the island’s culture and promote quality tourism by cracking down on troublemakers, deporting them in large numbers and insisting illegal activities, such as drug use and nudity, will not be tolerated.

Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan said efforts to rein in errant travellers showed the country’s tough stance on violators, and the campaign would not dent the economy of the tourist-dependent tropical paradise.

Luhut said the province would be better off without guests who engage in wrongful activities, behaviours that have also angered the Balinese community.

Last year, Bali officials launched a law enforcement drive following a spate of incidents including indecent exposure and disrespecting local customs.

According to the regional office of the ministry of law and human rights in Bali, 157 foreigners were ejected from the island in the first eight months of the year, while 194 people had been temporarily held at the immigration detention centre awaiting deportation.