Indonesia’s immigration authorities have blacklisted two Dutch nationals identified as organizers of a Canggu running event that sparked national outrage this week over allegations it discriminated against Indonesian participants based on nationality, marking a significant escalation from viral controversy to formal government action.
Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said the event’s organization could not be justified if it violated Indonesian regulations. “This running event functioned as a state within a state. The foreign nationals involved are currently outside Indonesian territory, and immigration has imposed a blacklist against them,” Hendarsam said in a written statement on Friday, July 24, 2026.
Who Was Blacklisted
According to immigration records, the event was organized by Entourage Bali, with two Dutch nationals identified as organizers: JAS, 35, and HQV, 37. JAS holds a Limited Stay Permit (ITAS) for work purposes, while HQV holds an investor ITAS.
Hendarsam said both men had already left Indonesia on the night of Wednesday, July 23, 2026, departing via KLM to Singapore through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. “Both foreign nationals are known to have left Indonesian territory on the night of Wednesday, July 23, 2026, via KLM to Singapore through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. We have now added both individuals to the blacklist,” he said.
Sponsor Under Scrutiny
Beyond blacklisting the two men, Ngurah Rai Immigration Office has also summoned their sponsor, PT SIG, for questioning to examine the pair’s activities while in Indonesia, including whether those activities were consistent with the terms of their stay permits.
“If the sponsor is found to have violated immigration regulations, we will process this according to applicable provisions,” Hendarsam said.
A Broader Rule on Foreign Nationals and Event Organizing
Hendarsam emphasized that foreign nationals are not permitted to serve as event organizers in Indonesia under any circumstances. According to him, foreigners may only be involved as crew or official team members in specific activities involving international artists or performers, a narrower category that this running event did not fall under.
He also directed Bali’s immigration office to investigate the event’s organization further, including identifying all parties involved. “I have instructed Bali Immigration to examine the event organizer. If any foreign nationals are found responsible, apprehend them immediately,” he said.
How the Controversy Began
The immigration action follows a viral controversy that erupted earlier this week after a Canggu-based running event, organized by Entourage Bali, faced allegations of discriminating against Indonesian citizens.
The allegations surfaced after screenshots circulated online appearing to show prospective participants being screened based on nationality. In one widely shared screenshot, someone identifying as Indonesian was reportedly rejected from joining the community. In a separate screenshot circulating on social media, someone identifying as German was reportedly accepted.
The posts triggered widespread reaction online. Beyond the discrimination allegations, public criticism also focused on whether the group had proper permits to use public roads in Canggu for its events.
Why This Matters for Bali’s Expat and Digital Nomad Community
This case marks a notable shift in how Indonesian authorities are responding to controversies involving foreign-run community groups and events in Bali, moving beyond public apologies and social media statements to formal immigration enforcement, including blacklisting and sponsor investigations.
For the island’s substantial population of expats and digital nomads who organize meetups, clubs, and community events, the case serves as a pointed reminder that organizing public events in Indonesia carries specific legal boundaries tied to visa and stay permit categories, boundaries that, according to immigration officials, foreign nationals on standard work or investor permits are not automatically authorized to cross.
What’s Next
PT SIG’s questioning by Ngurah Rai Immigration Office is expected to determine whether further legal action will be taken against the sponsoring company. It remains unclear whether JAS and HQV, both now blacklisted from re-entering Indonesia, will face any additional legal consequences related to the case. This report will be updated as more information becomes available.
