Police officers in Bali stopped ‘entitled’ tourists on a scooter without a helmet
A shirtless Balinese tourist on a scooter was confronted by police for failing to do so wearing a helmet in a tense conversation on the side of a busy road.
Images show how a group of officers surrounds the heavily tattooed man, who is becoming increasingly restless.
The tourist, speaking with a North American accent, stopped the protests, claiming that officers made Balinese locals do the same.
The unnamed man also accuses the police of harassing him for money.
When a cop approached, he told them, “Do you want to steal money?” Do you want to steal money?’
This led to angry reactions from several officers on the scene.
One officer, filming an exchange, repeatedly told the tourist, “Too much talk, you.”
At one point, the tourist reacted angrily when a police officer tried to grab his bike and move it.
It is unclear what happened to the man and whether he was arrested over his protests.
Many comments online ridiculed the man for being ‘right’ and praised the police officers.
One person said, “Police officer, just a suggestion, if he doesn’t respect Indonesian law, just handcuff him.
‘Enforce the law in Indonesia. You don’t want to be underestimated and insulted in your own country.’
The officers told him he was stopped for not wearing a helmet while riding his scooter
When a cop approached, he told them, “Do you want to steal money?” You want to steal money’
Another wrote: ‘Don’t talk about justice in another country. Go back home dude.’
While a third said, ‘Deportation please! Bali doesn’t deserve these kind of foreigners.’
It is the latest example of crackdown on tourists not wearing helmets in Bali.
Earlier this week, an Australian expatriate living in Bali was criticized for yelling at a police officer after she was caught riding her scooter without a helmet or proper rider protection gear.
The woman was riding her scooter on a road in Canggu, a resort town on the south coast of the island, when she was stopped by the officer.
In a video shared online, the woman can be seen arguing with the police officer who blocked the path of her bike.
An officer, filming an exchange, repeatedly told the tourist, ‘Too much talk, you’
The officer tries to get the woman to pull her scooter off the road, as riding a motorcycle without a helmet is illegal.
Pointing and gesticulating furiously at the officer, the woman yells “it’s not my fault” and claims her helmet was stolen.
Bali Police confirmed the woman was an Australian citizen and fined IDR $2,506 – equivalent to AUD $24.70
It comes after Bali officials launched a public campaign to crack down on inappropriately dressed tourists and travelers who flout local rules and customs.
Bali Tourism Board Chairman Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana announced on March 7 plans to use billboards to raise awareness and teach tourists how to behave in cultural settings.
Authorities have confirmed that a minimum of 10 large billboards written in English will be installed in places where most violations occur, including Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, Canggu, Ubud, Sanur, Nusa Dua and Uluwatu.
Earlier this week, an Australian expat living in Bali was criticized for yelling at a police officer after she was caught riding her scooter without a helmet or proper rider protection gear
The end of the bogan of Bali? Thousands of Aussies affected as the popular destination cracks down on the way tourists dress and behave
By Antoinette Milienos for Daily Mail Australia
Bali officials have launched a public campaign to crack down on inappropriately dressed tourists and travelers who flout local rules and customs.
Known for its clear waters, blue skies and cheap beer, the Indonesian island has long been a favorite destination of Australian holidaymakers, with more than 91,000 travelers flocking to the island in January 2023.
But increasingly, Aussies have become notorious among locals for wreaking havoc on the island with their wild behavior, which is reflected in the nickname ‘Bali bogans’.
Bali Tourism Board chairman Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana on Tuesday announced plans to use billboards to raise awareness and teach tourists how to behave in cultural settings.
Mr Adnyana said the proposal is in the ‘socialisation’ stage as officials await public feedback and gauge support.
Bali officials have announced a plan to build 10 billboards around the island to instruct tourists on how to dress and behave properly (stock image)
The campaign aims to educate tourists about etiquette so that travelers respect Balinese cultural customs (stock image)
“We have been appointed by the government, in this case the Bali Tourism Bureau, to prepare socialization in the form of writing and imagery,” said Adnyana, as reported by The Bali Sun.
‘However, we have to start with a kind of roll call at various points.
“It’s about tourists respecting Balinese cultural customs by dressing well and neatly, following order, carrying out traffic activities and not doing anything outside the stipulations.”
Authorities have confirmed that a minimum of 10 major billboards will be installed where violations are most common, including Kuta, Seminyak, Legian, Canggu, Ubud, Sanur, Nusa Dua and Uluwatu.
Bali Tourism Board chairman Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana (pictured) said ‘guests are king’ but warned them not to abuse local customs
The billboards have instructions and advice in English, and foreign language billboards are likely to follow.
Adnyana explained that the campaign will help develop Bali into a country that is not considered a destination for tourists to do as they please.
‘Indeed, we are ‘welcome’ and accept everything. Guests are king, but don’t take advantage,” Adnyana said.
He also confirmed that the Tourism Board will engage social media influencers, tourism stakeholders and e-commerce companies to publicize the campaign.
It comes just days after Bali officials launched a specialized task force to find foreign tourists working illegally in the country.