In brief
Indonesia’s immigration authorities have imposed a travel ban on two Dutch nationals linked to an illegally organised run event that was accused of discriminating against local participants. The events, run by the expatriate-centric Entourage Bali group, were held without permits and faced backlash after claims that Indonesian applicants were rejected while foreigners were accepted. The banned nationals, aged 35 and 37, have left for Singapore and will not be allowed to return. Bali’s governor vowed strict action to prevent similar incidents, while the organising body has suspended all activities and pledged revision of its processes. The episode underscores growing friction between the island’s expanding digital‑nomad community and its indigenous residents.
Indonesia has imposed a travel ban on two Dutch nationals who organized an illegal running event that was accused of excluding Indonesian participants, according to immigration officials.
Entourage Bali, a community for digital nomads, held a “disco run” last May that attracted many foreign joggers. In July, the club announced a new event, but several Indonesian applicants reported delayed or blocked registrations, sparking accusations of favoritism toward foreigners.
Authorities said the run was organized without a permit and the Dutchmen violated immigration laws by acting as commercial organisers. The two men, aged 35 and 37, are now barred from entering Indonesia and have already left the island, heading to Singapore.
Bali Governor I Wayan Koster has pledged “strict action” to prevent repeat violations, while immigration chief Hendarsam Marantoko warned that the club was functioning as a “state within a state.”
In a statement, Entourage Bali said its run clubs are open to everyone—including non‑digital nomads—and claimed that errors in an automated approval process caused the unintended exclusion of some local numbers. The club has suspended all events pending review.
The incident highlights growing tensions between the expat community and the local populace, as Bali’s popularity among digital nomads continues to rise.
Additional reporting by Liza Tambunan in Jakarta
