During Nyepi Day on Monday, 11th March 2024, an unidentified foreign tourist was apprehended by Pecalang (local guards) while roaming around Jimbaran Traditional Village in South Kuta.
The tourist, with long hair, was spotted wearing only shorts and a Balinese Poleng cloth while riding a motorbike and shouting. He was promptly escorted to Prof Ngoerah Hospital in Denpasar as he resisted arrest by the officers.
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As the officers attempted to identify the unidentified foreign tourist, he was unable to produce any identification and instead resisted when they tried to apprehend him. A video shared by Detik Bali depicts the tourist being swiftly escorted away in a patrol car.
The foreign tourist was spotted riding a motorbike and shouting while travelling along the Nakula Sadewa intersection. I Made Dharmayasa, Chairman of the Jimbaran Village Community Empowerment Institute, promptly coordinated with Denpasar Immigration officers to ascertain the tourist’s identity.
This alarming incident quickly spread across Balinese social media platforms, sparking condemnation towards the unidentified foreign tourist’s actions. Many urge authorities to promptly address the issue, emphasizing the sanctity of Nyepi Day, a revered celebration for Bali’s Hindu communities.
Despite repeated appeals to foreign and domestic tourists to respect Nyepi Day traditions, the frequency of violations by foreign tourists during the celebration appears to be on the rise.
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In addition to the incidents involving foreign tourists, there was also a case on Nyepi Day where an Indonesian domestic tourist was found travelling by car. This incident gained attention on social media after the tourist claimed to be unaware of the Nyepi celebration taking place that day.
The incident occurred in Banjar Tandeg Tibuneneng, North Kuta, around 10:40 AM local time. The Pecalang officers on duty in the area promptly persuaded the tourists to return to their place of residence.
