Expat-Run Event Group at Center of Discrimination Controversy in Bali
Two Dutch nationals who founded a Bali-based run club for expats and digital nomads have fled Indonesia, been placed on the country's travel ban list, and had arrest warrants issued against them, after their organization was accused of systematically excluding Indonesian locals from its events. The incident has drawn a swift and public response from Indonesian immigration authorities and reignited a broader conversation about how foreign-run communities operate on the island.
What Happened at the Silent Disco Run
Entourage Run Club, which describes itself as a community for digital nomads new to Bali, organized a ticketed "Silent Disco Run" on July 22. Unlike the club's regular events, this one required participants to purchase tickets to use the event's audio equipment. Shortly after, allegations surfaced that the WhatsApp-based registration process had been filtering applicants by phone number and name, effectively screening out people with Indonesian identifiers.
Influencer Annisa Rahmadani Maclean was among those who publicly alleged discrimination, claiming her application was delayed because she had an Indonesian name and phone number, while her husband, who has a Western name and number, was accepted immediately. She described the club as a "racist community," according to reporting by PerthNow.
Bali's Director General of Immigration, Hendersam Marantoko, responded quickly, ordering his team to inspect the organizers and arrest any foreign nationals involved. The two founders, identified publicly only by their initials "JAS" and "HQV," reportedly left for Singapore before they could be detained.
The Club's Response
Entourage Run Club issued a public statement acknowledging fault and announcing a pause on all events. The statement said the club was "created as a community for digital nomads in Bali" and emphasized that digital nomad status is not defined by nationality, noting that Indonesians made up nearly 25 percent of tickets sold for the silent disco. The club attributed the filtering issue to errors in an "automated approval process" for WhatsApp groups, saying a bias was unintentionally created that caused some Indonesian numbers to be incorrectly rejected. The statement expressed full accountability and apologized to those who were offended.
The club also faces a separate allegation: that it was operating events in Balinese public spaces without the required official licences from Indonesian authorities.
A Broader Pattern Worth Noting
This incident is not simply about one event. It reflects ongoing tensions in Bali between the island's growing population of foreign residents and the local community. Indonesian authorities have become increasingly attentive to how foreign nationals conduct business and community activities on the island, and the speed of the immigration response here signals that tolerance for perceived violations has limits.
Why It Matters for Hosts
Independent hospitality operators in Bali who partner with, host, or promote expat-oriented events and communities should take note. If an affiliated group is found to be operating without proper licences or engaging in practices that exclude Indonesian nationals, the reputational and legal exposure can extend beyond the organizers themselves. Reviewing the compliance status of any event partners, and ensuring that community activities held on or near your property are genuinely inclusive and properly permitted, is a practical step that protects both your guests and your business.
The details in this post were first reported by Katherine Kraayvanger for PerthNow, published July 26, 2026. This post is published by the Qontaktly travel blog.
First reported by Bali Travel.