Bali’s immigration authority has banned two Dutch nationals after they organised an illegal running event that allegedly discriminated against Indonesian participants.
The block, led by the expatriate-focused group Entourage Bali, drew backlash as reports circulated that the club’s registration process favored foreign nationals and rejected local applicants.
Authorities said the organisers violated immigration rules by holding the event without a permit and warned the event had become a “state within a state.”
Entourage Bali’s statement claimed the club is open to all digital nomads and that automated approval errors caused the mistaken rejection of some Indonesian numbers.
The incident underscores escalating friction on Bali as the island’s growing expat and nomad communities clash over exclusivity and local inclusion, prompting the governor to pledge stricter enforcement of rules.
