Unruly tourists could be jailed for life as Indonesia’s Bali rolls out tougher penalties

Foreign tourists who overstay their visas or breach immigration laws in Indonesia’s Bali could be sentenced to life behind bars as the holiday hotspot toughens penalties to rein in unruly visitors.

Incidents of travellers behaving badly on the island, including indecent exposure and disrespecting local customs, have become more frequent in recent months, prompting the local administration to launch a law enforcement drive last week to keep rule-breakers at bay.

Immigration Director General Silmy Karim said crimes that were previously punishable with jail terms from six months to one year would be increased to up to 20 years.

For foreigners who commit serious offences that carry a prison sentence of more than five years, detainment sanctions can be applied for life, according to Silmy.

He added more immigration checkpoints would be set up across the tropical paradise to boost surveillance to “create a safe situation for the Indonesian people”.

Additional patrol vehicles would also be deployed to maintain law and order, he said.

“We want to ensure that Indonesia is a comfortable destination for tourists and foreign investors who obey the rules,” Silmy said.

“Indonesia is a country that upholds the tourism sector, but comfort must be accompanied by order. We want foreign nationals who come to Indonesia to understand and follow the rules and norms that apply in this country.”