An Australian has caused chaos in Bali after being locked up in a supermarket by locals after allegedly attacking an Indonesian man.
Identified only as John by local police, he allegedly assaulted a 28-year-old outside the Potato Head Beach Club, North Kuta, around 3.30am on Thursday.
A group of locals and bystanders then chased John into a supermarket and locked him up waiting for the police to arrive.
He was arrested and taken to the North Kuta Police Station, but could not be questioned by investigators for several hours because he was reportedly too drunk.
An Australian was arrested Thursday morning and charged with attacking a Balinese resident and was so drunk that investigators were unable to question him for hours (stock image)
Badung police spokesperson Puta Sukarma said John had “run amok” after being chased by a “number of motorcycle taxis who offered him a ride.”
The alleged victim told police he stopped his motorcycle to avoid hitting the Australian, but instead became his target.
“The perpetrator immediately beat up the victim… (and) punched him in the face and head,” Puta told Daily Mail Australia.
He said the incident left the locals bloodied with swollen lips and bruises on his arms and right eye.
John’s current location remains unclear.
He has yet to be formally charged, but Puta said he could be charged with assault, which carries a maximum prison sentence of five years.
The area where the incident took place is a popular tourist destination with a number of nightclubs such as Potato Head, Mrs Sippy and Beach Bar.
He allegedly attacked the 28-year-old near some of the island’s popular beachside nightclubs such as the Potato Head Beach Club (pictured)
It is the latest incident of holidaymakers causing trouble on the Indonesian island as officials try to strike a balance between fun and safety.
Since February, all international tourists have been required to pay 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (about A$15) to travel through Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai airport or one of the island’s seaports.
Tourists will have to pay the tax every time they enter the island, in addition to an existing $50 e-visa that has been in effect since May 2022.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster said the tax will help fund efforts to preserve Bali’s rich “culture and environment” and make the destination less attractive to “cheap” tourists.