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SHAH ALAM – Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration has banned two Dutch nationals from re-entering the country after they were identified as organisers of the controversial Entourage Run community in Bali, which came under fire over allegations that Indonesians were excluded from joining.
Indonesian media reported on Friday that Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko announced administrative sanctions had been imposed after the pair left Indonesia while authorities were investigating the case.
The two men, identified only by their initials JAS, 35, and HQV, 37, were organisers of the Entourage Run community based in Canggu, Bali.
JAS held a work-based Limited Stay Permit (KITAS), while HQV was in Indonesia under an investor KITAS.
According to Hendarsam, both foreigners have now been placed on Indonesia's entry blacklist after departing Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport for Singapore on Wednesday evening.
"There should not be a state within a state. We consider this running club to be functioning as a 'state within a state'," Hendarsam told a press conference in Jakarta.
He said the pair were suspected of organising activities in Indonesia without obtaining the required permits, adding that Bali Immigration had been instructed to continue investigating other individuals involved and take legal action where appropriate.
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The immigration action follows days of intense public criticism over allegations that Entourage Bali operated an exclusive community favouring foreigners over Indonesians.
The controversy began after screenshots circulated online appearing to show Indonesian applicants being rejected from joining the group's WhatsApp community after revealing their nationality.
A 23-year-old Indonesian woman also claimed she had been denied entry to one of the group's running events after informing organisers she was Indonesian.
The allegations sparked widespread outrage on social media, with many questioning why locals appeared to face barriers to joining activities held in their own country.
Balinese senator Ni Luh Djelantik subsequently lodged a formal complaint with immigration authorities and local police.
Following the backlash, Entourage Bali issued a public apology and suspended all of its activities pending an internal review.
The organisers denied having a policy that excluded Indonesians, saying the issue resulted from an error in an automated approval system used for its WhatsApp community and several non-running events.
They said the technical issue unintentionally rejected some applicants using Indonesian (+62) phone numbers and insisted that their regular running club had always been open to everyone without requiring registration.
The community also said Indonesians represented the largest nationality among participants at its most recent Silent Disco Run.
"Our goal has always been to build an inclusive community that creates a positive impact for Bali," the organisers said.
Despite the apology, Indonesian authorities have maintained their investigation with Hendarsam stating that immigration officers will continue examining whether other organisers breached immigration regulations, signalling that the case remains active.