Bali running group investigated after claims Indonesians were excluded from community event
A Bali running community is under immigration investigation after allegations that Indonesian citizens were excluded while foreign nationals were accepted, prompting widespread criticism and a re-entry ban on two Dutch organisers.
- Allegations that Indonesians were excluded from a Bali running event sparked widespread online criticism.
- Immigration authorities barred two Dutch organisers from re-entering Indonesia and launched an investigation.
- Entourage Bali denied intentional discrimination and attributed the issue to technical failures affecting some Indonesian applicants.
A running community event in Bali has sparked public criticism and an immigration investigation after allegations emerged that Indonesian citizens were excluded from participating, while foreign nationals were accepted.
The controversy centred on Entourage Bali, a community organising running and social events in Canggu, North Kuta, Bali.
The issue gained attention after Balinese social media users shared posts and screenshots on Threads that appeared to show Indonesian applicants being rejected from the community while applicants from other countries were accepted.
The posts triggered widespread discussion online, with users questioning whether an event held in Indonesia could restrict participation based on nationality.
Balinese users raise concerns over alleged nationality-based selection
The controversy first gained traction after several Balinese users shared their experiences on Threads.
Posts from users including Nelva and Amalthea showed screenshots of conversations involving applications to join the Entourage community. The screenshots appeared to indicate that some Indonesian applicants were unable to access the group, while other foreign applicants were reportedly accepted.
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The posts quickly spread across Indonesian social media platforms, prompting criticism from users who questioned the organisers' selection process.
Many users argued that Indonesian citizens should not be excluded from activities held in their own country, particularly events taking place in public areas.
Online backlash intensifies
The allegations prompted thousands of comments on Instagram and Threads, with many Indonesians criticising what they viewed as discriminatory treatment of local residents.
Some users questioned why Indonesian citizens would be prevented from joining a running event in Indonesia.
Instagram user Arie Kuntung commented: “You use roads in Indonesia and create trouble in Indonesia. This is not Tel Aviv, brother. Go back to your own country.”
Another user, Curhatpelari, questioned the basis for excluding local participants, writing: “Since when has there been a rule that local residents are not allowed to join a run in Indonesia?”
User Growingpearls74 also criticised the organisers and questioned whether the event had obtained the necessary permits, writing, “Continue soon, continue soon, everyone is acting recklessly. Has this been dealt with yet? Did they obtain the necessary permits? Blocking public facilities, running in someone else's country, with alleged discrimination against the people of this country. @ditjen_imigrasi?”
A comment from a social media user reflected broader concerns about foreign nationals' compliance with Indonesian regulations and respect for local communities.
The user questioned why foreigners are allowed to work, create online content or conduct commercial activities without what they described as the appropriate permits.
The comment also called for visitors to respect Indonesian laws and the communities that host them, while criticising any behaviour perceived as discriminatory towards local residents. The user emphasised that respect should be mutual between visitors and the communities that welcome them.
Other users also called on authorities to investigate the organisers' activities, including whether the event complied with Indonesian regulations.
Immigration bars two Dutch organisers from re-entering Indonesia
Following the public backlash, Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration imposed a re-entry ban on two Dutch nationals suspected of organising the Entourage Bali event.
The two individuals were identified by their initials as JAS (35), a holder of a Limited Stay Permit (ITAS) for employment, and HQV (37), a holder of an investor ITAS.
Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said the two foreign nationals had left Indonesia on Wednesday (23 July 2026) through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on a KLM flight bound for Singapore.
Because they had already departed Indonesia, immigration authorities imposed a ban preventing them from returning to the country.
Hendarsam said foreign nationals were not permitted to organise events in Indonesia unless they had the appropriate legal basis and permits.
"Foreign nationals must not act as though they can create their own rules and exclusivity within Indonesia's jurisdiction," Hendarsam said in Jakarta.
He added that foreigners involved in activities in Indonesia must comply with Indonesian law and immigration regulations.
Sponsor questioned by immigration authorities
The Ngurah Rai Immigration Office has summoned PT SIG, the sponsor of the two Dutch nationals, to provide information regarding their activities while in Indonesia.
Authorities questioned whether the activities carried out by the two individuals were consistent with the residence permits they held.
Hendarsam said legal action would be taken if the sponsor was found to have violated immigration regulations.
He stressed that immigration authorities are responsible not only for providing services to foreign nationals but also for maintaining public order, ensuring legal certainty and protecting public interests.
Entourage denies discrimination allegations
Entourage Bali later issued a statement through its Instagram account, denying that it had intentionally discriminated against Indonesian citizens.
The organisers apologised to people who felt offended or hurt by the incident and said they never intended to disrespect or discriminate against anyone.
"First and foremost, we are extremely sorry for those who have felt offended and hurt, and we never meant to be disrespectful or discriminate against anyone," Entourage said.
The group explained that Entourage was created as a community for digital nomads arriving in Bali, aiming to connect people through social activities.
The organisers said being a digital nomad was not defined by nationality and that their community included members from different countries, including Indonesia.
They said some events were open and free for everyone, while others had participation requirements based on the purpose of the activity.
Entourage cited examples such as events designed specifically for digital nomads, as well as women-only walks and workshops.
The organisers said their regular running club activities were generally free and open to everyone without registration. However, the Disco Silent Run event held on 22 July, which triggered criticism, was their first paid event.
Entourage said Indonesian participants made up the largest group at the event, accounting for around 25 per cent of participants.
The organisers also said technical problems with automatic approval systems for WhatsApp groups and event registration caused some Indonesian applicants and users with Indonesian phone numbers beginning with the +62 country code to be incorrectly rejected.
"Although we tried to create a place where digital nomads could meet, a bias occurred that caused some (and not all) +62 numbers/Indonesian people to be incorrectly rejected," the group said.
Events suspended during review
Entourage said it had temporarily suspended all events and activities following the controversy.
The organisers said they accepted responsibility for the incident and would make changes to prevent similar issues in the future.
"We are temporarily stopping all events and activities. We take full responsibility for what has happened and promise to make meaningful changes going forward," the statement said.
The case remains under review by Indonesian authorities, with immigration officials continuing to examine whether the organisers' activities complied with Indonesian regulations.
