Bali run club under fire over alleged discrimination against Indonesians

The organisers behind Bali-based running community Entourage Bali have been barred from re-entering Indonesia after allegations that the group discriminated against Indonesians sparked widespread backlash online.

Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration imposed entry bans on two Dutch nationals linked to the community following complaints that local residents were excluded from joining the group's activities while foreign participants were accepted. The incident has fuelled broader discussions around inclusivity, community-building and the responsibilities of brands and organisers operating in Indonesia.

The controversy first gained momentum after Indonesian social media users alleged that applications submitted with Indonesian (+62) phone numbers were delayed, ignored or rejected during the club's WhatsApp registration process, while applicants using foreign phone numbers or Western identities were reportedly approved.

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The allegations drew criticism from Bali-based expatriates, including Christian Giacobbe, as well as Josh Fothergill and Jack Ahearn, who published a joint video on Instagram condemning the alleged practices.

The incident also caught the attention of Bali senator Ni Luh Djelantik, who later referred the matter to immigration authorities, saying Balinese hospitality "is not a license to disrespect us".

Following an investigation, Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko announced administrative immigration sanctions against the two Dutch nationals identified as organisers, JAS, 35, and HQV, 37. Both had already departed Indonesia for Singapore before the sanctions were imposed and have now been placed on the country's entry ban list.

"There can be no state within a state. This running event is a small example of state within a state," Marantoko said.

He added that Bali Immigration had been instructed to investigate the organisers and take action against any foreign nationals found to have breached immigration regulations.

According to immigration authorities, foreign nationals are not permitted to organise events in Indonesia if doing so falls outside the conditions of their stay permits.

In response to the backlash, Entourage Bali issued a public apology on Instagram, saying its mission had "always been to build an inclusive community and contribute positively to Bali".

The organisers apologised to "the people that have been offended and hurt", adding that Entourage Bali was originally established to help digital nomads connect while living in Bali. The group claimed that Indonesians accounted for nearly 25% of participants in one of its recent silent disco running events.

It also acknowledged shortcomings in its registration process.

"However, we have made errors in the automated approval process for our WhatsApp groups and non-running events."

"While we were trying to create a place where digital nomads could meet, a bias was created that some (and not all) +62 numbers / Indonesians were incorrectly rejected."

Entourage Bali said it was pausing all events while it reviews its processes, adding that it takes full accountability for what has happened and promises real changes will be made.

The episode has become one of Indonesia's most widely discussed social media controversies in recent days, highlighting how operational decisions can quickly escalate into reputational crises in an era of heightened public scrutiny.

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