Allegations Of Visa Mafia And Quarantine For Foreign Tourists To Bali, Super Express Price Of IDR 5.5 Million

ILLUSTRATION OF DOCK BETWEEN

DENPASAR - Deputy Governor of Bali, Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana, who is familiarly called Cok Ace, responded to allegations of a visa mafia and quarantine on the island of Bali.

Cok Ace explained, there was a finding that one travel company was promoting foreign tourists who wanted to go to Bali to use the fast lane but at a very expensive price of Rp. 5.5 million. Even though the official price from the government is under Rp. 1 million.

"(For) the visa, which is clear in several flyers, several promotions from one company said that for the fastest route, you pay Rp. 5.5 million, for the medium Rp. 4.5 million. I read that from several flyers from Instagram and so on," said Cok Ace at the Bali DPRD building, Monday, February 21.

Cok Ace confirmed this finding has been reported to the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy (Kemenparekraf).

"I have conveyed that to the ministry. Don't let the (price) be too unequal, if we look at the official statement from the government, it won't come (that way). If you are looking for a reasonable profit, that's normal," he added.

Meanwhile, legal action against the visa mafia and quarantine is left to the central government.

"We have submitted it to the center as information and it is already written. Incidentally, tomorrow we will have a meeting with the Minister," he said.

The Deputy Governor of Bali said that the current finding was that a company was known to promote the price of visas to Bali which was quite expensive.

"I only saw one that appeared like that, and it offered a fast-track term. (Actually) it's only natural that there might be a market that requires it. But this is beyond causing a very high price, several times over," he explained.

Previously, the Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, complained to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, regarding the alleged visa mafia and quarantine mafia.

Koster explained, there are many hotels in Bali that have been designated as quarantine hotels and charge fees beyond the normal price. The price per room that has been published to guests, then added with the reason the hotel is a quarantine place.

"They charge guests up to IDR 500 thousand per room per day. The reason is because it's for quarantine fees," said Koster, Friday, February 18.

Meanwhile, the normal price for a visa is Rp. 1.5 million and some are even only Rp. 1 million. This price is increased by the travel agent by a number of times.

"There it is stated that for a smooth process, you have to pay Rp. 3.5 million. If you want an express one, you have to pay Rp. 4.2 million. If you want a super express, you have to pay Rp. 5.5 million. This makes it difficult for foreign tourists to come to Bali," he said.