BALI, Indonesia – The Indonesian authorities have drawn a firm line, culminating the controversial stay of a British online personality with decisive legal action. Bonnie Blue faces a 10-year ban from entering Indonesia, alongside deportation and the same sanction for three other foreign nationals, marking the end of a high-profile case that has captivated public attention.
Winarko, Head of the Ngurah Rai Special Class I Immigration Office, confirmed the strict measures in a press conference on Thursday. “We will immediately take firm action, carrying out deportation and we will also enact entry prevention,” he stated, referring to the 10-year ban placed on the individuals’ passports.
The core violation was the misuse of their Visa on Arrival (VoA), a permit intended exclusively for tourism. Investigations revealed that Bonnie Blue and the three men—two from the UK and one from Australia—had used their tourist status to engage in the commercial production of online content, a clear breach of immigration regulations.
While sensational early reports linked their arrest on December 4 in a Mengwi studio to alleged pornography production, a comprehensive police investigation later found insufficient evidence to support those charges. After examining dozens of witnesses and expert testimony, police concluded the content did not meet the legal threshold for pornography.
However, the immigration offense was undeniable. “Their activity began as tourism but turned into work for content creation. This signifies an abuse of the immigration permit,” Winarko elaborated.
In a related legal proceeding, the group is scheduled for a fast-track trial at the Denpasar District Court on Friday for a separate traffic violation. They are accused of improperly using a modified pickup truck, famously branded “Bonnie Blue Bang Bus,” to transport people, which is unlawful for a goods vehicle.
The final ruling solidifies Bonnie Blue’s 10-year ban from entering Indonesia, a sanction also applied to her three associates. This conclusion follows the earlier release and repatriation of 14 other Australian men who were initially detained but cleared of any wrongdoing.
This case underscores a critical message from Indonesian officials: visa regulations are non-negotiable. The outcome for Bonnie Blue—a 10-year ban from entering Indonesia—serves as a potent reminder to all visitors that the permitted activities on a tourist visa are strictly defined, and violations carry severe, long-term consequences.
Reported by Ferry Fadly
Written by Hey Bali Newsroom
