Bali Expat-Only Question: Is Exclusivity Really Over?
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PerbesarEditor's Note: To ensure this vital conversation transcends language barriers, kumparan is publishing this special report in English. It is our intent that all expatriates, digital nomads, and international visitors residing in Indonesia can fully follow this issue. We hope this serves as an invitation for the foreign community to reflect on the sentiments of the local public and help foster a more inclusive, respectful environment in Bali and across the nation.
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Bali Governor I Wayan Koster said on Monday last week that exclusive expatriate communities on the resort island "no longer exist," pushing back against growing public concern that some venues and clubs in Bali cater exclusively to foreigners.
"As for exclusive communities, I believe there used to be an expatriate community here in Bali. It turns out that no longer exists, and there isn't one now either," Koster said, responding to questions about whether foreign-only communities still operate on the island.
The remarks come after public outrage over a "silent disco run" event hosted by the Entourage Run Club, a running group that restricted participation to foreign nationals and expatriates living in Bali.
Indonesia's Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, also weighed in, stating that foreign nationals in Indonesia are not permitted to hold events that exclude Indonesian citizens.
He add authorities launched an investigation. However, Immigration Hendarsam also said the two foreign nationals had already left the country.
"The two foreign nationals were found to have departed Indonesia on the evening of Wednesday, July 23, 2026, on a KLM flight bound for Singapore via I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport," Hendarsam said.
Following the controversy, Entourage Run Club issued a statement saying it never intended to be disrespectful or discriminatory.
No Explicit Bans, But Foreign-Dominated Spaces
To investigate whether exclusive foreigner-only venues still exist in Bali, kumparan visited several establishments across the island, including cafes, yoga studios and gyms in Seminyak, Canggu and Pererenan.
At a shisha lounge in Seminyak, co-owned by an Indonesian-German couple, reporters were welcomed despite staff being aware they were local journalists.
Although most patrons were foreign nationals, all staff members were Indonesian. The venue's owner, a foreign national, told kumparan he disagreed with any activity or venue in Bali being restricted to foreigners only.
At a yoga studio in Canggu — owned by a foreigner but bearing a distinctly local name — reporters registered for a class with help from an Indonesian colleague.
All instructors were local, registration was conducted in English, and local residents were offered discounted rates compared with foreign visitors.
Only a small number of Indonesians attended the class compared with dozens of foreign participants, but reporters faced no obstacles joining.
At a gym and wellness center in Pererenan, nearly all patrons were foreign nationals, with reporters counting only two Indonesians on site.
Reporters were not denied entry. A staff member said the facility also organizes a running club open to all nationalities, but that the group activity had been suspended indefinitely following the backlash against Entourage Run Club.