Menparekraf Follows Up On Videos Of Foreigners Celebrating Erotic Rituals In Bali

Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno In Bali/PHOTO: Dafi-VOI

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy/Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Agency (Menparekraf) Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno revealed that his party was following up and exploring videos of foreign nationals (WNA) suspected of holding an erotic ritual that took place in Ubud, Gianyar, Bali.

Sandiaga expressed his concern about deviant practices in tourism activities that caused damage to the quality and sustainable image of tourism based on dignified customs developed in Bali.

"I say this is the act of an individual, because this tourism activity is carried out by a handful or a small part. We have immediately acted to investigate, evaluate and carry out an action plan," said the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Thursday, May 16.

His party has also coordinated with the Bali Provincial Government, police and immigration officials to follow up on the viral video on social media.

He also appreciated the Bali Police and Gianyar Police for moving quickly to coordinate with Bali regional immigration in conducting investigations and taking firm action against the alleged deviant ritual.

A number of examinations were carried out, both in terms of validity of immigration documents (residence permits, visas and so on), to activity/crowd permits.

He ensured that activities in Bali, which aim to increase visits to foreign tourists and foreign tourists and encourage economic movement, would still be held with permits in accordance with the norms and regulations in force in Bali.

"We are coordinating with the Bali Provincial Government as well as with the police, immigration, with the latest technology support, such as face recognition, big data, to ensure that the 'event' and activities in Bali must be in accordance with the architecture of tourism in the future which focuses on Bali's taksu. And for Bali itself, we have been assisted by many traditional stakeholders, by bendesa, tourist villages and traditional villages," he said.

His party also plans to review the regulations and appropriate sanctions for perpetrators who carry out similar actions.

"I just met with the Saudi Minister who said that they (the perpetrators) also experienced violations of regulations in Saudi and in the future for violations Saudi Arabia imposed a very severe fine and were even prohibited from entering Saudi Arabia for 10 years," he said.

"So we have to start reviewing such regulations so that even though we want many tourists to come to a quality Indonesia, they also respect the traditional traditional norms that apply, not only in Bali but in areas throughout the archipelago and we will carry out stricter screening," said the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy.

He will also cooperate with communities and activists of wellness events or fitness-based activities to carry out intensive and sustainable supervision of the emergence of similar practices and call for the involvement of traditional leaders to find out business activities in their area.