Just days after protests by local taxi drivers over unregulated competition from ride-hailing services and unchecked foreign workers at the airport, immigration authorities in Bali have detained a foreign national on suspicion of violating his residency permit by working as a tour guide.
The arrest took place on Wednesday, 8 January 2025, at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Badung, Bali.
Detention at the Airport
Anak Agung Bagus Narayana, Acting Head of the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office, stated that the suspect was apprehended following reports from the public about a foreign national allegedly acting as a tour guide at the airport’s international terminal.
“Our Intelligence and Immigration Enforcement Team conducted an investigation and found [the suspect] engaging in suspicious activity. He was seen greeting a group of foreign tourists and directing them to a vehicle,” Narayana said in a written statement on Friday, 10 January 2025.
The suspect was then taken to the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office for questioning, where authorities are determining the extent of the alleged misuse of his residency permit.
Immigration Tightens Oversight
Narayana emphasized that the incident highlights the importance of heightened surveillance at strategic locations like the airport.
“We regularly conduct immigration patrols to ensure foreign nationals operate within the terms of their residency permits,” he said.
This action aligns with a broader effort to prevent violations by foreign nationals in Bali, particularly in light of recent tensions between local workers and perceived encroachment by foreigners in the tourism sector.
Tensions After Taxi Protest
The arrest adds fuel to ongoing frustrations expressed during a protest earlier this week by local taxi drivers. Demonstrators argued that competition from unlicensed operators, including foreign nationals, has undercut their earnings. The presence of foreigners working without proper permits has been a recurring complaint.
Several protesters had also called for stricter enforcement of immigration regulations, claiming that such violations threaten the livelihoods of local workers.
Next Steps
As the suspect remains in custody, immigration officials continue to investigate the incident.
Authorities have not disclosed the nationality of the suspect or the specific residency permit he holds.
Narayana reiterated that the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office remains committed to ensuring compliance among foreign nationals.
“Our primary goal is to uphold regulations while supporting a harmonious relationship between local communities and foreign visitors,” he said.
