Bali Running Community Organizers Banned from Entry Over Discriminatory Practices

JAKARTA - The Directorate General of Immigration has taken action against two foreign nationals (WNA) suspected of being organizers of the Entourage Run running community in Canggu, Bali, after the activity was suspected of being discriminatory against Indonesian citizens. Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said his party had imposed immigration administrative sanctions in the form of denial of the two foreigners because they had left Indonesia. "There should be no state within a state. The running event is a form of state within a state," said Hendarsam as reported by ANTARA, Friday, July 24. He explained that the two foreigners who were detained were currently outside the territory of Indonesia. "Currently, the related foreign nationals are known to be outside the territory of Indonesia and Immigration has applied a ban to the person concerned," he said. In addition to imposing sanctions, Hendarsam ordered the Bali Immigration staff to check the organizers of the event and take action against foreign nationals who were proven to have violated immigration regulations. "I have ordered the Bali Immigration to check the event organizer. If there are foreigners, they will be immediately taken action," he said. According to Hendarsam, the activity was held by Entourage Bali with two foreign nationals from the Netherlands who were identified as organizers, namely JAS (35), holder of a Limited Stay Permit (ITAS) to work, and HQV (37), holder of an Investor ITAS. The two are known to have left Indonesia on Wednesday (23/7) evening using the KLM airline to Singapore via I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. "Currently we have included both of them in the list of loyalists," said Hendarsam. He emphasized that the action was taken because the activities carried out were suspected of violating immigration regulations. Based on the applicable rules, foreign nationals are not allowed to be organizers of activities in Indonesia if they do not match the residence permit they have. This case came to light after a post circulated on social media that said the Entourage Run running community in Canggu allegedly restricted participants to foreigners only. The post tells the story of a 23-year-old Indonesian woman who was rejected by the registration system after filling out the citizenship status as an Indonesian citizen. The case also received the attention of members of the Bali Regional DPD, Ni Luh Putu Ary Pertami Djelantik, who reported it to Bali Immigration, Bali Police, and Ngurah Rai Immigration Office.