CANGGUWEEKLY
No.330/26May-02Jun2023
GovernorKosterBansMountainClimbingActivitiesinBali
sanctityofthemountains.
Duringthecoordinationmeeting,Koster statedthateverytimeforeigntourists misbehaveinsacredorholyplaces,the governmentorlocalresidentswill immediatelyconductpurifcationceremonies.
GovernorofBali,WayanKoster,has prohibitedmountainclimbinginall mountainsintheregion.Thisannouncement wasmadeduringacoordinationmeetingon tourismwiththeHeadoftheBaliNatural ResourcesConservationCenter(BKSDA), R.AgusBudiSantosa.
"Sincethemountainsareconsideredsacred areas,wearebanningmountainclimbing," hesaidinDenpasaronWednesday (31/05/2023).
Thisprohibitionaroseduetotheincreasing misconductofforeigntouristsonthe mountains,withsomeeventakingnaked photos,whichisconsideredtoviolatethe
However,henotedthatthisapproachisnot effectiveifthesameincidentskeeprecurring. Therefore,hisfocusisonpreventingsuch incidentsfromhappeningrepeatedly.
Uptothispoint,thegovernorofBalihas recorded22mountainsinthe"Islandofthe Gods"–anicknameforBali–thatwillbe completelyclosedforclimbingortourism purposes.
Although,sofar,violationsonthemountains haveonlybeencommittedbyforeigntourists, GovernorKosteremphasizedthatmountain climbingisalsoprohibitedfordomestic touristsandlocalresidents.
"Thiswillbeapplicablefromnowon,anda localregulationwillbeissuedtoregulatenot onlyforeigntouristsbutalsodomestictourists
andlocalresidents,exceptforreligious ceremoniesordisastermanagement activitiesandspecialevents.Itisnotfor tourismpurposes,"heexplained.
Thepreventioneffortstomaintainthe sanctityofthemountainsarepartofthe newregulationsforforeigntourists proposedbyKosterinCircularLetter Number4of2023.
Inthiscircularletter,theBaliProvincial Governmentprovidesmoredetailed informationontheprohibitionsand obligations,especiallyforforeigntourists.
LawenforcementauthoritiesinBalihave issuedaformalremindertobothlocalsand touristsaboutthepotentiallegal consequencesofuploadingorsharing videosorphotosofindividualsbreakingthe lawontheisland.
Indonesiahassomeofthestrictestlaws againstonlinedefamationglobally,makingit crucialtobecautiouswhenhandlingsuch content.
DuringapressconferenceheldonSunday, May28th,GovernorWayanKosterofBali urgedresidentstoreportanyincidents involvingforeignersviolatingthelawor disrespectinglocalculturethroughthe appropriatechannels.Heemphasizedthat reportsshouldbefledwiththelocalpolice, immigrationoffce,PublicOrderSecurity Agency(SatpolPP),pecalang(traditional Balinesevillagesecurity),andtourism offce.
InlightofGovernorKoster'sannouncement andtheriseofwhatsomeonline commentatorshavereferredtoas"social mediavigilantism,"otheroffcialsinBali haveremindedthepublicaboutthe country'sonlinedefamationlaws. TheHeadofPublicRelationsoftheBali Police,KombesPolStefanusSatakeBayu Setianto,clarifedthatindividualswhowish toreportordrawattentiontoforeigners breakingthelawinBalimustexercise cautionwhenitcomestothetypeofcontent theyupload.KombesSetiantohighlighted thatifthecontentcanbedeemed "pornographic,"notonlytheindividuals capturedinthevideobutalsothosewho recordedanduploadedthecontentmay facecriminalprosecution.
KombesSetiantoexplained, "Ifanincidentoccurs,the publiccanreportit immediatelytothepoliceor otherrelevantagencies. Socialmediacanalsobe usedforreportingaslongas itadherestotherules stipulatedintheOnline DefamationLaw...There's noneedtomakesuch contentgoviralbecause viralcontentitselfisa violationofthelaw."
ReportersraisedconcernstoKombes Setiantoaboutwhymanylocalschooseto uploadpotentiallyincriminatingcontent onlineratherthanusingformalchannelsto gaintheattentionofauthoritiesmorequickly. KombesSetiantoassuredthatreportsare takenseriouslyandinvestigatedpromptly. Thesameadviceappliestoforeignerswho wishtoreportincidentsofotherforeigners breakingthelawordisrespectinglocal cultureinBali.
OffcialsinBalinowurgethepublictotake actionwhilekeepinginmindthatthepublic imageoftourisminBaliisatstake.Every incidentmustbehandledfrmlyandswiftly. GovernorKosteracknowledgesthattakinga proactiveapproachtoaddressmisbehavior amongtouristsisadelicatematter.
InspectorGeneralPolPutuJayanDanu Putra,Bali'sPoliceChief,alsoappealedto thepublicnottoshareviralcontentof foreignersengagingininappropriatebehavior inacarelessmanner.Heaimstopreventthe spreadofsuch"naughtyactions"byforeign touristsonsocialmedia.
HeechoedKombesSetianto'sstatement, saying,"Regardingcommunityparticipation
andtheviralnatureoftheOnline DefamationLaw,wewillhandleitinafair manner.Thecommunity'sroleistoreport incidentsandpreventdeviantbehaviorby tourists."
Thesestatementscomeinresponseto anotherincidentwhereavideoofawoman exposingherselfwhileridingamopedin Legianwentviralovertheweekend. Immigrationandpoliceauthoritiesswiftly locatedthewomanandherpartner,and theircaseiscurrentlybeingprocessedby NgurahRaiImmigration.
WhilethestatementsfromBalioffcials maysoundstrictanddirect,theyprimarily aimtoaddresstheactionsofasmall minorityofvisitorstotheisland. TraveldataforMayisyettobereleased, butinAprilalone,over700,000 internationalvisitorsarrivedinBali. Althoughtherehasbeenanincreasein deportationsduringthefrstquarterofthe yearcomparedtopreviousyears,it remainsimportanttorecognizethatthe vastmajorityoftouriststraveling
ControversialPostersCriticizingImmigrationCirculate,InvolvingForeignIndividualinMass Organization
Ichsanclarifedthathisoffcehadnot receivedanyformalcomplaintsregarding thismatter.Hefurtherexplainedthat Immigrationcanonlytakeactionwhenit receivescoordinationorrecommendations fromthesupervisoryagencyoverseeingthe massorganizationinquestion.
Workers.
Awaveofattentionhasbeengeneratedin Balibythecirculationofpostersthatopenly criticizetheimmigrationsystem.These postersprominentlydisplaythenameand photographofaRussiancitizenwiththe initialsKAandhavebeenspottedinvarious locationsacrossDenpasar.
Thepostersfeaturestrikingstatements suchas,"DeputyCommanderWalletQuick Reaction(WRCLAN),BaliProvincialAntiNarcoticsAgencyforForeignWorkers. IllegalImmigrationTurnsaBlindEye? ViolatesArticle122oftheImmigration Law…"
OnSunday,21stMay2023,thesethoughtprovokingposterswereobservedinmultiple spotsaroundNitiMandalaRenonSquare, promptingdiscussionsanddebatesamong localsandvisitorsalike.
Respondingtotheviralcirculationofthese posters,BarronIchsan,theHeadofthe ImmigrationDivisioninBalirepresentingthe BaliRegionalOffceoftheLawandHuman RightsMinistry,addressedtheissueof whethertheministryoverlookedthe involvementofforeignersinthismass organization.
TheProvincialGovernmentofBalihas announcedintensifedmeasurestoaddress theuseofcryptocurrencyasaformof paymentbyforeigntouristsinvarious establishmentssuchashotels,restaurants, touristattractions,shoppingcenters,and otherpublicplaces.
InapressconferenceonSunday,Governor WayanKosteremphasizedtheimportance ofenforcingregulationsandfrmlydealing withinappropriatebehavior,violationsof visapermits,andtheuseofcryptocurrency fortransactions."Foreigntouristswho engageinsuchactivitieswillfacesevere consequences,"statedGovernorKoster.
Thegovernor'sremarksweremadeduring theBalitourismdevelopmentpress conference,attendedbyhigh-ranking offcialsincludingBaliPoliceChiefInspector GeneralPutuJayanDanuPutraandTrisno Nugroho,theHeadofBankIndonesia(BI)BaliRepresentativeOffce,alongwithother relevantstakeholders.
GovernorKosteremphasizedthatstrict actionswouldbetaken,including deportation,administrativepenalties, criminalcharges,businessclosure,and
"Totakeactionagainstanyviolations committedbytheforeignindividual, Immigrationawaitscoordinationor recommendationsfromthesupervisory agencyofthemassorganization.However, todate,Immigrationhasnotreceivedany suchcoordinationorrecommendations," explainedIchsanonMonday,22ndMay.
Moreover,Ichsanshedlightonthe regulationspertainingtoforeignworkers, whicharegovernedbythePlanforUsing ForeignWorkers(RPTKA).These regulationsrequireforeignindividualsto obtainthePlanforUsingForeignWorkers fromtheMinistryofManpowerinorderto workandreceivealegalsalaryfroman authorizedentity.
"Massorganizations,ontheotherhand,do notinvolveemploymentorsalaries,"Ichsan added,highlightingthedistinction. Ichsanemphasizedthatmassorganizations primarilyrevolvearoundsocialaffairs,and thedecisiontoallowforeignindividualsto joinsuchorganizationsrestswiththe buildersorfoundersoftheorganization, ratherthanwithImmigrationortheMinistryof Manpower,whichhandletheissuanceand reviewofthePlanforUsingForeign
otherrigoroussanctions.
Theprohibitiononusingcurrenciesother thantheIndonesianrupiahasamediumof exchangeinthecountryisinaccordance withLawNo.7of2011onCurrency. Violatorsofthislawmayfaceimprisonment foruptooneyearandfnesofuptoRp200 million(US$13,300).
Additionally,theuseoftheIndonesianrupiah astheoffcialcurrencyisregulatedbyLaw No.4of2023concerningtheDevelopment andStrengtheningoftheFinancialSector.
GovernorKosterfurtherhighlightedthat conductingforeignexchangeactivities withoutproperauthorizationfromBank Indonesiaissubjecttopenalties,including imprisonmentforaminimumofoneyearand amaximumoffveyears,aswellasfnes rangingfromRp50million(US$3,300)to Rp22billion(US$1.4million).
TherequirementtousetheIndonesian rupiahwithinthecountry'sbordersisalso governedbyBankIndonesiaRegulationNo. 17/3/PBI/2015.Violationsofthisregulation mayresultinadministrativesanctions, includingwrittenreprimands,fnes,and
RegardingtheImmigrationLawArticle122 mentionedintheleafet,itspecifesthat "Anyforeignerwhointentionallymisuses orengagesinactivitiesthatdonotalign withtheintendedpurposeoftheirgranted StayPermitshallbesubjectto imprisonmentforamaximumoffveyears andafneofuptoRp500million." Ichsanreaffrmedthatthesurveillanceof foreignersisconductedcollaborativelywith otheragencies,eachfulfllingtheir respectiveresponsibilities.
Toaddressconcernsrelatedtolowspendingforeigntouristsanddisruptive behavior,theBaliProvinceForeigners MonitoringTeam(PORATeam)recently convened.Theobjectiveistoenhancethe qualityofforeigntouristarrivalsand contributetothewelfareoftheBalinese communitythroughcollectiveeffortsand synergyamongallPORATeammembers. Theenforcementofimmigrationlaws underscoresthegovernment's commitmenttoupholdingstatesovereignty andcombattingviolationsofimmigration regulations.
Thisyear,theBaliImmigrationServicehas takenadministrativemeasuresby deporting118foreignnationalsfrom34 countrieswhohaveviolatedlawsand normsinBali,signalingtheseriousness withwhichimmigrationregulationsare beingenforced.
restrictionsonpaymenttransactions.
Whileacknowledgingthatcryptocurrencies canbeconsideredasassets,Trisno Nugroho,theHeadofBIBali RepresentativeOffce,reiteratedthattheir usageasamediumofpaymentis prohibited.
Thesestrengthenedmeasuresaimto upholdtheintegrityofthelocalcurrency, ensurecompliancewithrelevant regulations,andmaintainthestabilityof thefnancialsectorinBaliandIndonesia asawhole.
SpreadingViralVideosofForeignersBehavingInappropriatelyinBaliMayConstitute ViolationofUUITE,BaliPoliceChiefCautions
viralsharingisinvolved,wewillhandleit accordingly,asthereareprovisionswithin theUUITE,"hestated.
Furthermore,hestressedtheimportanceof responsibleonlinebehavior,urgingthepublic nottothoughtlesslycirculatevideos depictingunrulyconductbyforeignnationals ortouristsinBali.
many,includingPresidentJokoWidodo. Criticshavelongwarnedthatthelawhas beenexploitedasameansofoppression andsilencinggenuinecriticismsagainst thoseinpositionsofpower.
TheBaliPolicehaveissuedawarning, statingthatindividualsinvolvedin disseminatingviralvideosportraying misbehavingforeignersontheenchanting IslandofGodsmayfacelegal consequencesundertheElectronic InformationandTransactionsAct(UUITE).
DuringapressconferenceheldonSunday, BaliPoliceChiefPutuJayanDanuPutra emphasizedthesignifcanceofadheringto theseregulations.
"Incaseswherethepublicplaysaroleand
"Thismattershouldnotbetakenlightly.The community'sroleistoreportsuchincidents andtakepreventivemeasuresagainst deviantbehaviordisplayedbytourists,rather thanamplifyingitthroughviraldissemination. Ifthesituationwarrantsitanditmeetsthe criteriaforaviolationundertheUUITE, appropriateactionwillbetaken,"he emphasized.
Asitcurrentlystands,onlinedefamationisa criminaloffensepunishablebyamaximumof sixyearsinprisonundertheUUITE.
CriticismoftheUUITE,whichcontains vaguelywordedprovisionsrelatedto defamationandslander,hasbeenvoicedby
LastNovember,asenioroffcialstatedthat theclausesononlinedefamationmaybe removedfromtheUUITEwiththe implementationoftherevisedCriminal Code(RKUHP),scheduledtotakeeffect by2025.
Instancesofviralcontentfeaturing foreignersbehavinginappropriatelyinBali, suchasindividualsposingnakedon sacredtrees,awomanexposingher genitalsonapublicroad,orcrashinga Balinesedanceshownakedatatemplein Ubud,haveoftenresultedinthe deportationofthoseindividualsfrom Indonesia.
Source:coconuts.co
