An Australian has caused chaos in Bali after locals locked him in a convenience store after allegedly attacking an Indonesian man.
Identified by local police only as John, he allegedly punched a 28-year-old man outside the Potato Head Beach Club, in North Kuta, at around 3.30am on Thursday.
A group of locals and passersby then chased John into a convenience store and locked him inside while they waited for the police to arrive.
He was arrested and taken to the North Kuta police station, but investigators were unable to question him for hours because he was allegedly too drunk.
An Australian man was arrested and accused of attacking a Balinese local on Thursday morning and was so drunk that investigators were unable to question him for hours (file image)
Badung police spokesperson Puta Sukarma said John had “become uncontrolled” after being chased by “a number of ride-hailing motorcycle taxis offering him a ride”.
The alleged victim told police he stopped his motorcycle to avoid hitting the Australian, but he allegedly became his target.
“The perpetrator immediately punched the victim… (and) punched him in the face and head,” Puta told WhatsNew2Day Australia.
He said the incident left the shop bloodied, with swollen lips and bruises on his arms and right eye.
John’s current location remains unclear.
He has not yet been formally charged, but could face assault charges, according to Puta, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
The area where the incident occurred is a popular tourist destination with several nightclubs such as Potato Head, Mrs Sippy and Beach Bar.
He allegedly attacked the 28-year-old near some of the island’s popular beachside nightclubs, including Potato Head Beach Club (pictured).
It is the latest incident of tourists causing trouble on the Indonesian island as officials try to strike a balance between fun and safety.
All international tourists have had to pay 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (about $15 Australian) to pass through Bali’s Ngurah Rai airport in Denpasar or any of the island’s seaports since February.
Tourists will have to pay the tax each time they enter the island, in addition to an existing $50 e-visa that is valid from May 2022.
Wayan Koster, governor of Bali, said the tax will help fund efforts to preserve Bali’s rich “culture and environment” and make the destination less attractive to “cheap” tourists.
