Bali Bans Expats Over Exclusive Running Club
Indonesia’s immigration authorities have barred two Dutch nationals from re‑entering the country after they organised an unlawful running event that also allegedly discriminated against local Indonesians.
The run, put on by the expatriate‑focused group Entourage Bali, drew criticism when online testimonies claimed the club had rejected Indonesian applicants whilst welcoming foreigners.
Both Dutch men, aged 35 and 37, had fled to Singapore before the ban was announced and will not be allowed back into Indonesia.
Bali, long known for its tropical appeal, has become a hotspot for digital nomads in recent years, which has heightened tensions between expats and locals.
The discrimination allegations have reignited anger towards perceived expatriate entitlement and the creation of exclusive communities on the island.
Bali Governor I Wayan Koster pledged “strict action” to ensure such incidents are prevented in the future.
Immigration officials said the two Dutch men violated immigration laws by organising the run without proper permits.
In a statement released Friday, Entourage Bali said its run clubs were “open for everyone, including non‑digital nomads” and that Indonesians made up roughly 25 % of participants.
The group linked the alleged exclusions to “errors in the automated approval process” that incorrectly rejected some Indonesian numbers.
“Entourage was created as a community for digital nomads in Bali to help people who are new to the island connect with others and do fun activities together during their stay,” the organisation wrote. “Being a digital nomad is not defined by nationality. Our community includes members from many countries, including Indonesia.”
Entourage Bali announced it was pausing all events for the time being and promised to implement real changes moving forward.
Background
A successful “disco run” in May featured many foreigners jogging through the streets with headphones. However, after an upcoming run on 22 July, accusations emerged that the club prioritised foreigners over locals.
One woman on social media claimed her Indonesian name and number were delayed while her husband’s Western details were accepted immediately.
Authorities are committed to cracking down on foreigners engaging in commercial activities illegally on the island. “There should not be a state within a state,” Indonesia’s immigration chief Hendarsam Marantoko said, describing the running club as a “state within a state.”
