In light of the peak tourist season in Bali, the police in Badung Regency are taking proactive measures to address the potential presence of “lawless” foreigners. The focus on Badung is due to its status as the most popular tourist area in Bali, housing renowned resorts such as Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Canggu, and Uluwatu.
According to an article from thebalisun.com, the Badung Police have initiated a 16-day operation called ‘Operation Nusa Agung 2023,’ commencing on June 21, 2023. The objective of this operation is to anticipate any potential acts of lawlessness and crimes involving foreigners.
This action follows a recent surge in misbehavior by tourists in Bali, encompassing activities like illegal work, disrespect towards sacred sites, public nudity, and verbal abuse. Consequently, tourists can anticipate an increased presence of security officials in Badung’s busiest tourist destinations.
To promptly address reports of disrespectful or unlawful behavior by tourists, the Badung Police will collaborate with the Tourism Task Force. Over the past months, Bali’s Provincial government has established two Tourism Task Forces, each serving a distinct purpose.
The first task force was deployed to crack down on foreigners engaged in business or work activities that violate their visa conditions. The provincial government expressed concerns about foreigners utilizing visas, including visas on arrival and socio-cultural visas, for operating businesses and working on the island.
The second task force is focused on eliminating other forms of illegal and disrespectful behavior. Its mission is to uphold Bali’s strong cultural values and Indonesian law. The task force places emphasis on ensuring the respectful treatment of spiritually and culturally significant sites, honoring the local way of life, and preventing tourists from violating traffic regulations or staying in illegally operated accommodations.
Furthermore, local leaders in Bali have announced the establishment of another tourism task force to address unruly behavior by foreigners in the Tabanan Regency. The Tabanan Tourism Task Force will primarily concentrate on curbing disrespectful and illegal conduct in popular destinations such as Tanah Lot, Mount Batu Karu, and the renowned surf beaches west of Canggu, including Nyanyi Beach, Kedugu Beach, and Balian Beach.
Comprising officials from the tourism agency, hotel and restaurant association, and traditional local security (pecalang), the Tabanan Tourism Task Force will collaborate with the police, immigration authorities, and provincial task force officers. Their efforts include setting up offline complaint services for local residents to formally report incidents rather than resorting to social media. Additionally, the task force will work closely with tourism providers in Tabanan Regency to educate them on attracting high-quality tourists and dealing with issues appropriately. Regular surveillance will also be conducted at popular tourism spots, with a notable focus on Tanah Lot Temple.
So, if you spot so many police on the street for the next couple of weeks, you don’t have to worry. As long as you follow the rules, you’re good to go! Check What You Must Do and Don’t Do While Traveling in Bali in this article.