Bali Governor Issues New Circular For Foreign Tourists: Polite Clothing Is Prohibited To Temple Except For Sembahyang

Bali Governor Wayan Koster when delivering a new order circular for foreign tourists in Denpasar, Wednesday (31/5/2023). ANTARA/Ni Putu Putri Mulintari.

DENPASAR - Bali Governor Wayan Koster issued the latest circular regarding obligations and prohibitions for foreign tourists in Circular Letter Number 4 of 2023.

Koster said foreign tourists are obliged to glorify the sacred temples and religious symbols and seriously respect customs, traditions, arts, and religious ceremonies.

"Wearing clothes that are polite, reasonable, and appropriate during visiting activities in Bali, both in sacred areas, tourist attractions, public places, and behave politely in sacred areas, tourist areas, restaurants, shopping areas, roads, and other public places," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Wednesday, May 31.

Furthermore, Koster requires tourists who come to Bali to be accompanied by licensed tour guides, where he understands the attraction of tourism, natural conditions, customs, local wisdom.

In the circular, Koster emphasized that tourists exchange foreign currencies at the organizers of foreign exchange business activities (KUPVA) and make payments using standard QR codes or using rupiah currency.

Regarding traffic, tourists are asked to drive by obeying statutory regulations in Indonesia, shown by the ownership of national and international SIMs, orderly traffic, dressed politely, wearing helmets, following traffic signs, not containing passengers exceeding capacity, and not under the influence of alcoholic beverages or illegal drugs.

"Using an official four-wheeled transportation device or two-wheeled transportation device under a business entity or transportation rental association, staying at an accommodation business place that has a permit in accordance with statutory provisions, and obeying all special rules that apply in each tourist attraction and tourism activity," said Wayan Koster.

In addition to obligations, the number one person in the Bali Provincial Government also conveyed a ban on foreign tourists such as not being allowed to enter the main area of the holy place or temple except to pray in full traditional clothes and not coming months.

In his direction, Koster also prohibits tourists from climbing sacred trees, committing behavior that tarnishes holy places such as climbing holy buildings and taking pictures in disrespectful clothes or without clothes, littering, and using single-use plastics.

"It is prohibited to say harsh words, behave disrespectfully, make noise, and act aggressively against state officials, the government, local communities, and fellow tourists directly or indirectly through social media, such as spreading hate speech and false information," he continued.

In addition, Koster prohibits foreign tourists from working or doing business activities without having official documents, and is involved in illegal activities such as buying and selling illegal goods, including illegal drugs.

The governor from Buleleng explained that if a foreign tourist is found who violates it, he will be given a legal sanction or process.

Later this provision will be included in a special sheet on tourist passports during the immigration process at I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport and Benoa Port.

"Regarding this policy, it will be communicated with the embassies and consulates in Bali, then followed up with the central government coordination meeting and especially airlines related to tourism operations," he said.