immediate deportation for foreigners violating emergency ppkm rules - bali officials

In times of emergency, officials in Bali may have finally abandoned their good guy playbook, with foreign nationals now liable to swift deportation if they are discovered breaking health regulations on the island.

“Let us emphasize to foreign nationals in Bali: if they break current rules, we will deport them,” Jamaruli Manihuruk, Head of the Law and Human Rights Ministry's Bali office, stated yesterday.

The declaration came after President Joko Widodo issued the country's harshest restrictions during the epidemic, called the Emergency Enforcement of Restrictions on Public Activities (Emergency PPKM or PPKM Darurat in Indonesian). While the Emergency PPKM is scheduled to be in force from July 3 to July 20, Bali officials have stated that it has already begun in the province.

“Previously, we were quite soft, but this time we will not be soft since this is an emergency,” Jamaruli explained.

Jamaruli stated that officials are merely enforcing Article 75 of the Immigration Law of 2011. According to the article, any activities judged hazardous and suspected of being such, as well as those that are disrespectful or in violation of current regulations, might result in the expulsion of a foreign citizen.

Violations of health protocol may include not wearing a mask in public and holding crowded events. Jamaruli further stated that fines of IDR1 million (US$68.71) for individuals who do not wear masks during Emergency PPKM are no longer relevant because Bali and the rest of Indonesia are in the middle of an emergency.