Bali Expels Dutch Expats Over Alleged Run‑Club Discrimination

Sun Sep 06 2026 01:13:45 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Indonesia bans two Dutch nationals who organised an unlicensed run event that faced accusations of excluding local Indonesians.

Two Dutch expats were banned from Indonesia after organising an illegal, invitation‑only running event in Bali that reportedly discriminated against Indonesian participants. The run was carried out without an official permit, violating immigration rules, and sparked outrage among locals who felt excluded by the club’s selective registration process. Bali’s governor vowed strict enforcement against such discriminatory practices, while the expat group announced a pause in all events pending reforms.

Bali Expels Dutch Expats Over Alleged Run‑Club Discrimination

Indonesia’s immigration authorities have banned two Dutch nationals for organising an illegal running event that allegedly discriminated against locals.

The run was organised by the expatriate‑focused group Entourage Bali. After the club announced a discount‑price event, social‑media claims surfaced that members with Indonesian phone numbers were rejected while foreign participants were admitted.

Both Dutch organisers, aged 35 and 37, had already left Bali for Singapore pending the ban. They will not be allowed re‑entry into the country.

The island of Bali, known as a haven for digital nomads, has seen tensions flare as foreign communities are perceived to establish exclusive groups that marginalise Indonesian residents.

Bali governor I Wayan Koster announced a “strict” response, pledging to enforce regulations so similar incidents do not recur.

The government said the organisers violated immigration law by creating the event without a permit, and implicated them in the alleged exclusionary behaviour.

In a statement, Entourage Bali emphasised that their clubs were open to all, including non‑digital nomads. They claimed the distribution system mistakenly blocked some Indonesian numbers.

The organisation announced a pause on all future events and pledged to institute “real changes” to avoid discrimination.

The incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of foreigners conducting commercial activities without proper authorisation. Indonesia’s immigration chief, Hendarsam Marantoko, likened the club to a “state within a state,” stressing that such autonomy should not exist outside national regulation.