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.