Two Dutch Nationals Expelled After Bali Running Club Controversy
Two Dutch men have been permanently barred from Indonesia following allegations that their Bali-based expat community, Entourage Bali, discriminated against local residents who tried to join a running event. The men, identified only by initials JAS (35) and HQV (37), departed Bali and landed in Singapore before Indonesian immigration officials placed them on a no-entry list. They are not permitted to return to the country.
What Sparked the Backlash
The controversy began when Indonesian residents attempting to register for an Entourage Bali run reported that their applications were rejected. One allegation that circulated widely on Threads described a woman whose application was turned down while her husband's, submitted with a Western name and phone number, was approved immediately. The post directly tagged local immigration authorities and the story spread rapidly across Indonesian social media.
The outcry reached Indonesian Senator Niluh Djelantik, who publicly condemned the group on Instagram. "Bali is welcoming, but our hospitality should never be mistaken for a license to disrespect us," she wrote, adding that she had raised the matter with immigration officials. "Utilising public spaces while rejecting local residents is unacceptable."
Indonesia's immigration chief Hendarsam Marantoko went further, telling reporters via the BBC that expat groups should not operate as a "state within a state," a phrase he applied directly to Entourage Bali.
The Group's Response
Entourage Bali issued a statement on its Instagram account acknowledging the harm caused and claiming the rejections of Indonesian phone numbers were the result of an error rather than deliberate policy. The group described itself as a community for digital nomads of all nationalities, noting that 25 percent of participants at a recent Silent Disco Run were Indonesian. It also stated that specific activities were designed for particular groups, such as digital nomads or women, but that run clubs were open to everyone.
"We are extremely sorry for the people that have been offended and hurt, and we have never meant to be disrespectful or discriminating to anyone," the statement read. The group confirmed it had paused all upcoming events and committed to making changes.
The details of this incident were first reported by The Telegraph and subsequently covered by LADbible.
Why It Matters for Hosts
Independent operators in Bali, whether running a guesthouse, co-working space, villa, or activity business, should treat this episode as a clear signal about how community-facing events and membership policies are perceived by both local residents and government authorities. Any event or program that uses public spaces or draws on Bali's infrastructure carries an implicit obligation to be genuinely open to Indonesian participants. Hosts who organise guest activities, partner with expat communities, or market to digital nomads would be wise to review their own registration and invitation processes to ensure they cannot be read, even unintentionally, as excluding locals. Transparent, inclusive policies are not just ethically sound; in the current regulatory climate, they are a practical safeguard against reputational and legal risk.
First reported by Bali Travel.