Bali brings six new rules for Australian tourists

Bali is cracking down on “bogan behaviour”, threatening fines and deportation for tourists caught breaking a series of rules.

Australians flock to the Indonesian island every year in search of cheap food, affordable accommodation and stunning scenery.

Bali is the second most popular tourist destination for Australians, behind only New Zealand, with more than 2.1 million people visiting the island last year.

The laid-back atmosphere may soon be a thing of the past, as the island’s governor cracks down on bad behavior and vows to be tough on tourists.

Visitors caught breaking the rules could be forced to pay a fine with the proposal even having their visa revoked in some cases.

Indonesian law states that riding a motorcycle without a helmet can result in a fine of 250,000 Indonesian Rupiah or $25.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster wants to introduce new powers that would allow authorities to revoke the visa of a tourist caught breaking a traffic law.

Drivers caught on a motorcycle without a license could also be forced to pay a $98 fine.

Koster has also asked the national authorities to prohibit all foreigners from renting motorcycles “to guarantee decent and quality tourism.”

The move comes after a campaign was launched targeting tourists wearing skimpy clothing and a ‘bonk ban’ was announced.

While the push to crack down on bad behavior may come as a surprise to some, Indonesian authorities have been clamping down on unruly behavior for a few years.

The Bali Tourism Board shared a post on social media last week with the caption: “Enjoying Bali?”

What followed was a list of polite reminders to tourists outlining how to “show respect” for their rich culture.

“For everyone’s safety, comfort and mutual respect, we ask that you follow some common sense rules,” the sign reads.

Many tourists don’t know that Bali is a conservative island in a deeply religious country.

Indonesia’s parliament passed a law last year to ban sex outside of marriage and cohabitation by unmarried couples.

A draft of the new laws states that while sex outside of marriage would be prohibited, only a limited number of parties, such as close relatives, could report it to the authorities.

That warning may provide some protection to Australian citizens visiting or living in the country.

Local unmarried couples caught violating the ban and having sex face up to a year in prison.

The attire worn by tourists is also under scrutiny with a new educational campaign launched in March that tells people how to dress and act appropriately.

Tourists often walk the streets with next to nothing, but there are areas where this shouldn’t happen, especially around holy temples.

Bali Tourism Board Chairman Ida Bagus agung Partha Adnyana said tourists should check their attire out of respect.

“The point is that tourists respect the cultural customs of the Balinese by dressing well… and being orderly when carrying out trafficking activities,” he said.

The Bali Tourism Board is in the ‘socialization’ phase of the campaign, which includes billboards.

The latest movement is aimed at tourists who rent motorcycles and scooters.

Under the plan, which was revealed this week, visitors would be banned from renting scooters and bicycles.

Koster wants travelers to only use transportation provided by travel agencies after a series of incidents, including foreign passengers abusing police, not wearing helmets and using fake license plates.

Footage emerged this week of a tourist in a heated exchange with a local police officer after he was pulled over for not wearing a helmet.

The shirtless tourist, who has an American accent, was forced by officers to stop in the middle of a busy street.

He then accuses them of harassing him for money.

‘Do you want to steal money, do you want to steal money, do you want to steal?’

A police officer who filmed the exchange then replies, “Too much talking, you.”

“I’ve been watching the Balinese ride over and over without a helmet and you don’t stop them, you don’t stop the Balinese,” the tourist replies.

When the officer tries to grab the bike and move it off the road, the man replies, ‘Don’t touch my stuff. He takes your hands off me.

The clip then ends. It is not clear what happened next.

The tourist’s behavior has been criticized as rude, with some even calling for him to be deported.

‘Bali doesn’t deserve foreigners like this,’ wrote one person.

Members of the Bali Bogans Facebook community group reacted to the new guidelines with a range of emotions.

“Strongly agree,” said one member.

Most of us tourists are fed up with the behavior of some of these people. More respect please.

“While I agree with the post, I think it’s hypocritical to instruct tourists on what to do when your own people don’t even follow the rules, lead by example, right?” another person said.

‘Not all of those things are laws, but common sense… and there is no punishment for stupidity apart from karma,’ said a third.