Bali — Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration blacklisted two Dutch citizens accused of organizing a community running event called "Bali Silent Disco" in Canggu, North Kuta District, Badung Regency, Bali, on Wednesday, July 22 2026, after videos and registration screenshots showing rejected Indonesian applicants went viral on social media and sparked public outrage.
Immigration Director General Hendarsam Marantoko said the two foreign nationals, identified by initials J.A.S., a limited stay permit holder for work purposes, and H.Q.V, a limited stay permit holder for investors, left Indonesia for Singapore the night before the blacklisting took effect.
"The two foreign nationals are known to have left Indonesian territory on the night of Wednesday, 23 July 2026, using a KLM flight to Singapore through Ngurah Rai International Airport. We have now placed both of them on the blacklist," Hendarsam said, describing the event as a "state within a state" and such practices would not be tolerated in Indonesia.
Registration for the event was handled through WhatsApp, with applicants asked to provide their age, gender, and nationality. Several applicants who identified themselves as Indonesian citizens said they were rejected without clear explanation, while foreign applicants were accepted.
Niluh Djelantik, a member of Indonesia's Regional Representative Council (DPD) from Bali, urged authorities to act in a post on her personal Instagram account on Friday, 24 July 24.
"We hereby request that Bali Immigration and Police to follow up on our report regarding the alleged discrimination by foreign nationals, as well as activities that appear to lack proper permits," the Senator said.
Criticism also came from local residents on social media. Instagram user @joshberlari, in a video that also went viral, said running clubs organized by foreigners had taken over public roads and caused traffic congestion while excluding Indonesian participants.
"There's already too much of this — foreigners coming to Indonesia to start running clubs that take over entire streets, cause traffic jams, and discriminate against local people," he said in the video.
Badung Regent I Wayan Adi Arnawa said he had received reports on the controversy and reaffirmed the regency government's commitment to maintaining order in public space activities. Badung's public order agency, Satpol PP, also flagged permit concerns, noting the event used public roads without coordinating with relevant authorities.***
