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Can Indonesia’s new task force in Bali keep unruly tourists in check?

Patrols are carried out across tourist hotspots to ‘suppress illegal acts by foreigners’ and respond promptly to immigration violations

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Tourists walk at a shopping area in Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia, on August 1. Patrols are being carried out across the island until August 31 to keep lawbreaking foreigners in check. Photo: EPA
Resty Woro Yuniar
Indonesia has set up a new immigration task force to keep lawbreaking foreigners in Bali in check, but critics warn the presence of uniformed officers on the popular resort island risks putting tourists on edge.

Agus Andrianto, minister of immigration and corrections, on August 5 inaugurated the Immigration Patrol Task Force in Bali’s provincial capital Denpasar, with the mission to “suppress illegal acts by foreigners”, as well as provide rapid response to immigration violations.

“The formation of the Immigration Patrol Task Force is a follow-up to President Prabowo Subianto’s directive to ensure stability and security in Bali as one of Indonesia’s top tourist destinations,” Agus said in a statement.
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About 100 uniformed immigration authorities have been deployed, either on motorcycles or cars, in 10 tourist hot spots around Bali, namely the surfers’ paradise areas of Canggu and Seminyak, spiritual hub Ubud, and the seafood town of Jimbaran. The task force is equipped with body cams and safety vests.

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Bali issues tourism dos and don’ts list in wake of scandals involving unruly visitors

Bali issues tourism dos and don’ts list in wake of scandals involving unruly visitors

According to the immigration agency, the patrol is being carried out randomly, but periodically, until August 31, but may be extended if needed.

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