Indonesia’s immigration authorities have banned two Dutch nationals for organising an illegal running event that allegedly rejected Indonesian participants.
The run, organised by the expatriate‑focused group Entourage Bali, sparked backlash after online testimonies claimed the club seemed to reject Indonesian applicants while admitting foreigners.
The two Dutch men, aged 35 and 37, left Bali for Singapore before the ban was announced and will not be allowed back into Indonesia.
Bali, long a haven for digital nomads, has seen rising tensions between expats and locals, and this incident has reignited anger toward perceived exclusivity and entitlement.
Governor I Wayan Koster pledged “strict action” to prevent such incidents in the future.
Immigration officials cited that the Dutch organisers violated immigration law by holding the event without permits.
Entourage Bali claimed its run clubs are open to everyone, “including non‑digital nomads,” saying Indonesians comprised about 25% of their participants.
The group blamed automated approval errors for incorrectly rejecting some Indonesian registrations.
“Being a digital nomad is not defined by nationality. Our community includes members from many countries, including Indonesia,” the group added.
Entourage Bali is pausing all events for now and pledging real changes moving forward.
“There should not be a state within a state,” Indonesia’s immigration chief Hendarsam Marantoko told reporters, viewing the club as effectively “a state within a state.”
