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Bali officials have confirmed that Bali Airport has received Hundreds of foreigners departed Bali over the weekend, Hundreds of foreigners departed Bali over the weekend, the first batch of international arrivals from Singapore Airsome with chartered flights organized by their respective some with chartered flights organized by their respective lines on February 16. governments, following flight cancelations across the globe governments, following flight cancelations across the globe amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The Ngurah Rai Immigration office said in a statement that over 200 foreigners, office said in a statement that over 200 foreigners, consisting mostly of German nationals, boarded a chartered consisting mostly of German nationals, boarded a chartered German Airlines flight on Saturday headed for Frankfurt, German Airlines flight on Saturday headed for Frankfurt, while over 400 passengers consisting of mostly French while over 400 passengers consisting of mostly French nationals headed to France with Qatar Airways on the same nationals headed to France with Qatar Airways on the same day. In addition, Austrian Airlines also reportedly carried day. In addition, Austrian Airlines also reportedly carried over 200 passengers back to Austria. over 200 passengers back to Austria. Foreign missions in Foreign missions in Indonesia have Indonesia have actively used social actively used social The Head of the Bali Tourism Board, IB Agus Agung Partha media to assist their media to assist their Adnyana, confirmed that 100 foreign nationals would be respective citizens. respective citizens. arriving at the international terminal of Bali Ngurah Rai As fewer flights As fewer flights Airport on Wednesday (16/2). become available become available due to global travel due to global travel “Bali airport will receive 100 foreign nationals on the Singapore Airlines international flight on Wednesday,” Adnyana said on Tuesday (15/2). All arriving visitors will be directly transported to the select hotels verified as quarantine facilities by the government. restrictions, their efforts include assisting those seeking to return home to find available flights. I Putu Surya Dharma, a spokesperson from the regional office for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, restrictions, their efforts include assisting those seeking to return home to find available flights. I Putu Surya Dharma, a spokesperson from the regional office for the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Adnyana also hopes that this will inspire other international airlines to resume flights to Bali soon. “I hope other international airlines like Jetstar Airways will resume their flights to Bali by March,” Adnyana added. told Nusa Bali yesterday that between March 1 and 26, nearly 254,000 foreign tourists have left the island. However, the same period also recorded over 169,000 foreign tourists arriving in Bali, he added. Travelers from Australia, Russia and the United States topped the list of visitors. told Nusa Bali yesterday that between March 1 and 26, nearly 254,000 foreign tourists have left the island. However, the same period also recorded over 169,000 foreign tourists arriving in Bali, he added. Travelers from Australia, Russia and the United States topped the list of visitors. Meanwhile, the Stakeholder Relation Manager of Angkasa Pura I for Bali Airport, Taufan Yudhistira, stated that the Last week, American and Australian citizens in Indonesia were Last week, American and Australian citizens in Indonesia were airport is more than ready to operate the international terordered to leave the country amid the novel coronavirus ordered to leave the country amid the novel coronavirus minal. “After evaluating the international arrival and deoutbreak, wherein officials also cited evidence of Indonesia’s outbreak, wherein officials also cited evidence of Indonesia’s parture from Japan on February 3 and February 10, we’re current medical capacity, among other things, to urge current medical capacity, among other things, to urge quite confident to provide services for incoming internaimmediate action. Some foreigners have decided to extend immediate action. Some foreigners have decided to extend tional arrivals at Bali Airport,” Taufan said. their stay in Indonesia, it seems, as evident by packed their stay in Indonesia, it seems, as evident by packed immigration offices across Bali last week. Indonesia’s immigration offices across Bali last week. Indonesia’s “We removed a holding area where visitors had to wait for their PCR test results. Now, they can go to the hotel registration area and be transported to the select hotels straight away. The entire process will only take 30 minutes,” Taufan concluded. (thebalisun.com 17/02/2022) Directorate General of Immigration has swiftly responded to the spike in visa extension requests, and eligible foreigners unable to return to their home countries due to COVID-19 are being given an automatic extension for their stay permits. (coconuts.com 01/04/2020) Directorate General of Immigration has swiftly responded to the spike in visa extension requests, and eligible foreigners unable to return to their home countries due to COVID-19 are being given an automatic extension for their stay permits. (coconuts.com 01/04/2020)

No Large-Scale Social Restrictions policy for Bali just Hundreds of Indonesian crew members flying

Governor pushing for quarantine-free travel to Bali in March yet, provincial government says in from Italy skip quarantine after testing negative for COVID-19

As Bali starts to welcome international tourists back to the island, its governor says he’s pushing for the central government to exempt the province from any quarantine requirements. The Bali provincial government says it has yet to consider imposing Large-Scale Social Restrictions (PSBB) policy, which requires approval from the central government, to curb the spread of COVID-19 here, claiming that it has already implemented similar steps to an extent. Over 300 Indonesian crew members from the MSC Splendida cruise ship reportedly did not undergo quarantine upon arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport despite having flown in from Genoa, Italy on Monday night. Officials said all of them tested negative for the novel coronavirus, after rapid tests that were conducted at the airport. “As soon as they arrived they were checked by officers from the Port Health Authority and followed with rapid tests. The results were negative and [they] didn’t have to be quarantined,” Ida Bagus Ngurah Arda, who heads Bali province’s Manpower Agency, told Kompas yesterday. There were 316 Indonesian crew members in total who boarded a flight with Qatar Airlines from Genoa to Denpasar, via Doha. As reported by Kompas, the crew members had also undergone a health examination while In a statement made after welcoming the first Singapore in Genoa, after Airlines flight to touch down in Bali in nearly two years which they were yesterday, Governor Wayan Koster said he is doing all he can to convince the central government to abolish quarantine requirements for tourists flying into Bali, as long as they produce a negative PCR test result upon departure and arrival. declared healthy and permitted to return to Indonesia. Italy is one of the countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with over 105,000 confirmed cases and more than 12,000 deaths. Indonesians coming Koster said early March would be an ideal time to abolish mandatory quarantine for Bali, citing government data that COVID-19 cases on the island are on the way down. from COVID-19 hot zones, which includes Italy, are subject to health screening by the Port Health Authority upon arrival. Should authorities find that they are exhibiting early symptoms of COVID-19, they will be observed at a “Around 8 percent are hospitalized. And the asymptomgovernment facility for two weeks. On the other hand, atic patients generally [test negative] after five days. So those who do not exhibit early symptoms are advised to it’s quick,” he said. self-quarantine for the same period. The government said those who have received booster Yesterday, Coordinating Human Development and Culture shots may quarantine for only three days starting March Minister Muhadjir Effendy urged Indonesians overseas to 1. Furthermore, a senior minister said the government is mulling erasing mandatory quarantine throughout Indonesia in April should the COVID-19 situation improve. stay in the countries in which they are living. The government said there are no plans to arrange their repatriation, but that they will be provided with supplies. Indonesia is currently Bali officials and tourism operators have long called for dispensation of travel restrictions for the island, which anticipating mass arrivals of Indonesians abroad, particularly those seeking to leave Malaysia as it enforces its movement relies heavily on tourism dollars. After welcoming some 6 control order (MCO), as well as crew members of international million tourists, the island’s tourism industry came to a cruise ships looking to return home as some cruise lines halt complete standstill when the pandemic hit. their operations. For the latter, their return will likely be through Ngurah Rai, Muhadjir said, adding that there are Bali reopened to international tourists in October 2021, about 11,000 Indonesian crew members abroad. As of but the relaunch only began in earnest this month after the government pushed for direct flights and hotels to provide quarantine packages. (coconuts.co 20/02/2022) yesterday afternoon, Bali has recorded 19 positive COVID-19 cases. This includes two deaths of foreign nationals and four recoveries. (coconuts.com 01/04/2020)

Speaking to Kumparan yesterday, regional secretary of the Bali administration, Dewa Made Indra, said that the provincial government is open to implementing PSBB, should risks of the novel coronavirus on the island continue to escalate and require a stricter approach. “Here in Bali we are already enforcing strict limitations. Substantially we have preceded this PSBB policy, but formally and according to the [new] government regulation of course we haven’t,” Indra said. PSBB is designed to limit mobility within a region,essentially imposing the same social distancing measures that have already been seen in parts of Indonesia affected by the viral disease, though this includes additional measures and stricter enforcement. The policy includes shuttering of all businesses and services except those deemed essential, and also banning appbased motorcycle taxis from picking up passengers, meaning they are only allowed to transport goods and deliver food to customers. The official implementation requires regional governments to submit relevant data and reports regarding COVID-19 spread in their area to the Health Ministry, among other things, which will assess them and decide on whether or not to grant approval. The process has been criticized for being overly bureaucratic. Indonesia’s capital Jakarta, which has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases, is set to become the country’s first region to officially enforce PSBB. As of this afternoon, the city reports 1,395 confirmed cases of the coronavirus, including 133 deaths and 69 recoveries.

JAKARTA - Indonesia will temporarily ban all visits and transits by foreign nationals to the country to curb the further spread of the coronavirus. “President (Joko) sees that our current policy needs to be made stricter. We have decided that all visits and transits by foreign nationals to Indonesia will temporarily be banned,” Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters after a virtual ministers’ meeting with President Joko Widodo on Tuesday (March 31). Exceptions to the ban include those with work permits as well as diplomats, Ms Retno added, stressing that proper health protocols will still apply. President Joko said before the ministers’ meeting that Indonesia is stepping up measures to limit mobility among its citizens within the country, but threats of coronavirus spread also come from overseas. Mr Joko pointed out specifically that the epicentres of the pandemic have shifted to the United States and Europe. In Indonesia, Jakarta is the epicentre of the country’s coronavirus crisis, accounting for nearly half of the 1,414 confirmed cases. There are 122 deaths from Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, in Indonesia so far, the highest in South-east Asia. Stay in the know with e-mail alerts. “Practically all nations have put in place limits on the flow of travellers with varying (degree of) strictness depending on the respective situation and condition in each country,” Ms Retno said. Their policies have also impacted Indonesians living overseas, many of whom have recently returned home or are preparing to head home. According to Ms Retno, the two largest groups of homebound Three International Airlines Will Resume Flights To Bali By March Indonesians are Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia as well as Indonesians working as crews on cruise ships. An official from the Bali Ngurah Rai Airport has confirmed that “The inflow traffic from these two groups has been far larger than three international airlines have proposed to resume their normal,” Ms Retno said. “In terms of size, the number of Indoneflights to Bali. sians living and working in Malaysia exceeds 1 million. And there are The President of Angkasa Pura I for Bali Ngurah Rai Airport, Faik Fahmi, confirmed that Jetstar Airways, KLM Royal Dutch, and Scoot Tiger Air have proposed to resume their regular flights to Bali International Terminal by March 2022. “We’re so happy to hear that these three international airlines plan to resume their regular flights to Bali. This is a positive sign that we gained more trust from foreign visitors who want to start traveling to the island,” Fahmi said on Saturday (19/2). KLM Royal Dutch plans to resume the Singapore-Denpasar route and operate four flights in one week. Jetstar Airways intends to resume the Denpasar-Singapore, Denpasar-Sydney, and Denpasar-Melbourne routes by operating three flights in a week. Meanwhile, Scoot Tiger Air plans to resume the Singapore-Denpasar route with three flights per week.

Bali Law and Human Rights Service investigates alleged visa mafias

The Bali Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights conducted an investigation on several travel agents regarding alleged visa mafias targeting foreign tourists entering the Indonesian territory. “The visa mafias allegedly changed the visa price, and this has become our cause for concern. We have dispatched a team to several travel agents, and we are still investigating this matter,” Head of the Bali Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights Jamaruli Manihuruk noted in a press statement on Tuesday.

11,838 Indonesian crews working for 80 cruise ships, as per data gathered so far,” Ms Retno added. She said the government is implementing proper health protocols at airports, seaports, border check points on these returning countrymen. Mr Joko on Monday said Indonesia needs stronger measures to limit mobility after receiving reports that thousands of workers in Jakarta and its surrounding areas have returned to their home towns after losing most or all of their income amid the coronavirus outbreak. There have been concerns of a spread of infections as people from Jakarta, the epicentre of the country’s outbreak, return home. The government is preparing regulations that would make it possible for Jakarta and other coronavirus red zones to be put under an “area quarantine”, a term observers see as equivalent to a lockdown, which would stop flows of people going in and out. (straitstimes.com 01/04/2020) Local authorities in Bali are reporting hundreds of workers having lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 outbreak and its subsequent impacts on the tourism industry, while thousands more have been instructed to stay at home without pay. In Denpasar, as many as 2,975 workers were told to stay at home without pay while another 53 workers were laid off, the city’s spokesman Gede Rai told Kompas, adding that the workers were from 37 different companies. “It’s because there is a lack of guests and hotels are not operating,” Gede Rai said. For the time being, authorities in Denpasar are reportedly planning a social protection strategy for these workers, including through Indonesian government’s pre-employment cards, which was launched last month. The cards, which aim to aid job seekers and unemployed workers, grant them access and funding to various trainings. The numbers are even higher in Badung regency, where some of the island’s most popular hotels and restaurants are located. An official from the regency’s Industry and Manpower Agency told Tribun yesterday that 198 workers have been laid off as of April 4, most of whom were employed in the tourism sector.

Bali plans to hold Nyepi-like observance to curb COVID-19 spread

Bali province’s Majelis Desa Adat, or traditional village council, says there are plans to hold a Nyepi-like observance later this month as part of an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 on the island, with the final decision set to be announced tomorrow. The council’s chief, Ida Panglingsir Agung Putra Sukahet, told Tribun yesterday that nothing has been decided for the time being, as authorities would need to hold a meeting first. “We will decide on April 8. If it’s going to happen we will issue an official circular from the traditional village council,” Agung Putra was quoted as saying. The observance, locally referred to as sipeng, will only mandate that people stay at home for three consecutive days and will not follow the exact same rules as the Balinese Day of Silence, according to reports. Ordinarily, Nyepi encourages self-reflection by prohibiting activities such as lighting a fire, working, and traveling or going out, among others. The planned sipeng, however, would only prohibit people from leaving their homes. While official details have not been announced, news of sipeng quickly made its rounds on social media, showcasing divided opinions among local residents. Prompted by concerns over COVID-19, som e are supportive of the initiative, while others question how people are expected to meet their daily needs should the observance take place. “I agree, but it’s

Thousands of workers in Bali on unpaid leave, hundreds more laid off

“Everywhere [in Indonesia] is pretty much facing the same condition. We don’t know when this will end,” Ida Bagus Oka Dirga, who heads the agency, said. He added that in Badung, more than 6,000 workers from 78 companies have been instructed to stay at home and given between 50 to 70 percent of their minimum salary. “Right now, with the hotels empty, of course workers will burden the operational cost. That’s why they have instructed them to stay home. However, we do hope they won’t be laying off [these workers],” I Made Badra, who heads the Tourism Agency in Badung, told Tribun.

Bali hotels roll out cheap promos or shut to survive coronavirus outbreak

The Bali Hotel Association (BHA), whose members include general managers of over 100 four-star and five-star hotels and resorts in Bali, said that most accommodations and restaurants in Bali have opted to temporarily close for at least one month. “At this time, almost all hotels and restaurants in Bali are closed temporarily for one to two months, as we monitor the most up to date situation,” BHA chairman I Made Ricky Darmika Putra told state news agency Antara yesterday. Ricky also responded to circulating information that many hotels in Bali are up for sale, clarifying that those reports are false. In addition, he explained how hotels that are still open have less than 10 percent occupancy rates, while most restaurants have cut their operational hours short. Meanwhile, some other hotels are still seeking to attract potential customers, and are rolling out cheap promotions on long-term stays. One example is Lv8, a hotel located in Canggu, which offers a one-month stay fee starting from IDR8million (US$481). For perspective, the hotel’s normal daily rate ranges from IDR800K-1 million. (coconuts.com 07/04/2020)

JAKARTA - Indonesia will temporarily ban all visits and transits by foreign nationals to the country to curb the further spread of the coronavirus. “President (Joko) sees that our current policy needs to be made stricter. We have decided that all visits and transits by foreign nationals to Indonesia will temporarily be banned,” Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told reporters after a virtual ministers’ meeting with President Joko Widodo on Tuesday (March 31). Exceptions to the ban include those with work permits as well as diplomats, Ms Retno added, stressing that proper health protocols will still apply. President Joko said before the ministers’ meeting that Indonesia is stepping up measures to limit mobility among its citizens within the country, but threats of coronavirus spread also come from overseas. Mr Joko pointed out specifically that the epicentres of the pandemic have shifted to the United States and Europe. In Indonesia, Jakarta is the epicentre of the country’s coronavirus crisis, accounting for nearly half of the 1,414 confirmed cases. There are 122 deaths from Covid-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, in Indonesia so far, the highest in South-east Asia. Stay in the know with e-mail alerts. “Practically all nations have put in place limits on the flow of travellers with varying (degree of) strictness depending on the respective situation and condition in each country,” Ms Retno said. Their policies have also impacted Indonesians living overseas, many of whom have recently returned home or are preparing to head home. According to Ms Retno, the two largest groups of homebound Indonesians are Indonesian migrant workers from Malaysia as well as Indonesians working as crews on cruise ships. “The inflow traffic from these two groups has been far larger than normal,” Ms Retno said. “In terms of size, the number of Indonesians living and working in Malaysia exceeds 1 million. And there are 11,838 Indonesian crews working for 80 cruise ships, as per data gathered so far,” Ms Retno added. She said the government is implementing proper health protocols at airports, seaports, border check points on these returning countrymen. Mr Joko on Monday said Indonesia needs stronger measures to limit mobility after receiving reports that thousands of workers in Jakarta and its surrounding areas have returned to their home towns after losing most or all of their income amid the coronavirus outbreak. There have been concerns of a spread of infections as people important to inform the general public way ahead of the actual dates. So it doesn’t seem so abrupt.” “So will there be provision of food from the government?” “Those who have plenty of money from monthly salary have it good as they can simply stock up, but what can we do when we depend on daily income. If it were to happen for four days please think it further wisely.” As of yesterday afternoon, Bali confirmed eight additional cases of COVID-19, bringing the island’s total to 43. This includes 19 recoveries and two deaths of foreign nationals. (Coconuts.com 07/04/2020)

from Jakarta, the epicentre of the country’s outbreak, return home. The government is preparing regulations that would make it possible for Jakarta and other coronavirus red zones to be put under an “area quarantine”, a term observers see as equivalent to a lockdown, which would stop flows of people going in and out. Coordinating maritime affairs and investment minister Luhut Pandjaitan said in a video message on Tuesday that the government would take the decision within this week, stressing however Indonesia would use the term lockdown. Indonesia would also issue a presidential emergency decree that would allow the government to have an annual budget deficit of larger than 3 per cent – currently not allowed by the existing laws – so that it could spend more to deploy cash, especially to the poorest population in the country. This exemption would apply for three years, before a normal threshold of 3 per cent would be reinstalled for 2023 annual budget year. “(Finance Minister) Sri Mulyani is currently making her calculation. What if we give the bottom 40 per cent or 20 per cent direct cash handouts. It is being thoroughly calculated,” Mr Luhut said. President Joko said on Monday that over the past eight days alone, 876 buses had transported about 14,000 people in Greater Jakarta back to their home towns, mostly in West Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta and East Java provinces. Others had taken the trains and ships home, he added. These are mostly daily-rated workers such as push-cart food sellers, in what is termed the informal sector of the economy. (straitstimes.com 01/04/2020)

Bali’s The Nusa Dua improves safety measures amid pandemic

State-owned enterprise Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) is implementing safety measures to help stop the spread of COVID-19 at tourist destination The Nusa Dua in Bali. I Gusti Ngurah Ardita, managing director of The Nusa Dua, told Antara news agency that a letter had been sent to tenants, urging them to provide hand sanitizers and regularly spray disinfectant in public areas, including toilets, pray rooms, ATM booths and shuttle buses. “This is in accordance with a circular letter from Bali’s provincial administration on improving hygiene and sanitation to combat the virus,” he said. Tenants at The Nusa Dua are also required to check the temperature of all staff and visitors and to routinely clean their sites. A crisis center has been set up for guests, with services that include delivery to the nearest hospital and routine check-ups with health agencies. Ardita added that The Nusa Dua’s employees have been working from home from March 16, except for security and cleaning staff, who have been equipped with protective gear and follow physical distancing measures while on duty. As of March 26, the occupancy rate at The Nusa Dua had dropped 30.45 percent since February. “We hope the pandemic will end soon and tourism in Bali can improve,” said Ardita. On Tuesday, Bali declared a state of emergency by imposing stricter measures on visitors in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 as cases continue to climb with local transmission detected. With the status, the resort island will tighten checks at entrance gates and enforce a 14-day self-quarantine for all people entering the island. (thejakartapost.com 01/04/2020)

Denpasar mayor urges city residents to stay at home amid coronavirus outbreak

The Mayor of Denpasar yesterday urged the city’s residents to refrain from returning to their hometowns and stay at home instead, as part of an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19 in Bali. “I am asking all residents living in Denpasar for the time being do not go anywhere, including to go to your hometown, stay at your respective homes [instead] to break the chain on COVID-19 spread,” , as quoted by state news agency Antara. Many of those who live in Denpasar hail from different parts of the island and even the country. With the social and physical distancing advisory in place and the option to return to their family homes might make sense financially, officials fear it might contribute to further spread of COVID-19. According to Denpasar government’s, there are currently 96 people under monitoring in the city, along with two patients under observation and two more who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Across Bali, the total number of positive COVID-19 cases stand at 10 as of yesterday afternoon, including two deaths of foreign nationals, while a total of 141 patients have been placed under observation, as per data from the provincial government.

Let’s be honest: Even in Bali’s luxurious resorts, nobody really wants to be stuck inside their hotels for longer than they have to be. Despite having been officially reopened to international tourists in October 2021, Bali Island, the bread and butter of Indonesia’s tourism industry, did not see any commercial international flights landing until February 2022, with Garuda Indonesia bringing in tourists from Japan and Singapore Airlines from Singapore. Bali’s tourism sector has especially struggled since the island shut to international flights in March 2020. While restrictions have loosened, existing quarantine regulations have turned off foreign travelers from making the trip to the Island of the Gods, which is known for its surfing spots, temples, and nightclubs. Under current regulations, fully vaccinated travelers to Bali are required to quarantine in designated hotels for five days. That may be shortened to three days for travelers who have received booster shots starting on March 1. If you plan to travel to Bali and are worried that quarantine will bore you, fear not, as the provincial government “Our success in breaking the chain of coronavirus spread requires discipline and cooperation from everyone, not only the government, but also the public in heeding the instructions and suggestions from officials,” Rai Mantra said. Last week, a nurse who tested positive for COVID-19 reportedly went home to Tabanan regency, prompting officials to trace her close contacts immediately.

recently launched an isolation scheme that would allow travelers out of their hotel rooms. “International travellers can quarantine with either a ‘bubble’ or a ‘non-bubble’ system,” said Bali Vice Governor Tjok Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, popularly known as Cok Ace, yesterday. Travelers who opt to enter the “bubble” system will be allowed to roam around the hotel to swim, exercising at the gym (yay!), and participating in hotel activities such as carving fruits....continue read: www.baliadvertiser.biz Fahmi stated that Angkasa Pura is committed to supporting the efforts to revive international flight traffic by implementing strict prevention protocols. “We hope that the number of international flights to Bali gradually increases and that this will positively affect the economy,” Fahmi concluded. Since Garuda and Singapore Airlines resumed their international flights to Bali in early February 2022, Bali Airport has recorded 639 passengers. (thebalisun.com 21/02/2022) Manihuruk remarked that with this information, all Supporting Technical Units (UPTs) were involved in supervising the travel agents. In addition, his side will continue to collect information and conduct a preliminary examination into how high the visa price has been set by the agents and how long the practice has run. He informed that the visa tariff had been regulated in accordance with the Indonesian Government’s Regulation Number 28 of 2019 on Types and Tariffs of Non-Tax State Revenue Applicable at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights. Deputy Governor of Bali Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati had earlier confirmed of the existence of a visa mafia targeting foreign tourists in Indonesia, especially in Bali territory. In this case, the visa mafia offers quick visas or express visas at prices ranging from Rp4.5 million to Rp5.5 million. The offer was posted on social media platforms, including Instagram. Manihuruk noted that his side had until now only found one company that was suspected of being a visa mafia. The practice was allegedly running since the past two weeks. (antaranews.com 22/02/2022)

African National Arrested For Crashing His Car Into A Group Of Students In Bali

A 30-year-old man named Chidi Ezonu from Africa has been arrested for crashing his car into a group of motorbikes ridden by high school students. The Head of the Public Relations Office of the Denpasar Police Department, Iptu I Ketut Sukadi, confirmed that the suspect was arrested for the incident that occurred in Jalan Kunti, Seminyak on Wednesday afternoon (16/2). “The suspect’s luxury car crashed into four students. Two of them suffered from bone fractures, one suffered some minor injuries, and the other one came out of the accident unscathed. Meanwhile, their motorbikes were completely wrecked,” Iptu Sukadi said during a press conference on Thursday (17/2). According to witnesses, the suspect drove his Lexus with registration plate B 1199 LK from the east side. As he entered a bend in a road, Chidi drove a little too far to the right and collided with the moving motorbikes from the other side. After receiving a report of the incident, officers from the Denpasar police department immediately came to the scene and rushed the victims to Siloam Hospital. “The suspect has been detained along with his car. He didn’t acquire any injuries from the incident and will potentially face five years of imprisonment,” Sukadi concluded. (thebalisun. com 20/02/2022)