In the midst of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, many Russians are flocking to Bali to avoid being drafted into military service. This influx of tourists has led to a number of issues, including illegal stays and illicit employment.
The local government of Bali has even called on the central government to temporarily stop issuing visas to Russian nationals due to the problems caused by their presence. Despite Joko Widodo’s administration’s attempts to maintain friendly relations with Russia, the situation is becoming increasingly difficult to manage.
Recently, a 33-year-old Russian man was stopped by the police for riding a motorcycle without a helmet. This man had been in Bali as a tourist since February and had already been flagged for noncompliance a few days prior.
Out of the 58,000 Russians who visited Bali in 2022, an estimated 80% entered after September – when the mobilization of reservists was announced. Many of these individuals likely sought to avoid the call-up by prolonging their stay in Bali.
However, their prolonged stay has resulted in numerous issues such as overstaying visas, illegal employment, and an increase in traffic violations. Because it is relatively easy to obtain a visa for Indonesia, many Russians have taken advantage of the process to spend extended periods of time in Bali.
Governor Wayan Koster has voiced his concerns over the situation, stating that strict measures need to be implemented to address these issues. However, the central government is hesitant to take action that may upset the Kremlin and has suggested that there aren’t enough troublemakers to warrant extreme measures.
Nonetheless, local tourism industry leaders are calling for discipline and order to be restored so that Bali’s reputation as a popular and safe tourist destination is not damaged. The situation also affects locals, as illegal employment means they are not benefiting from the influx of tourists.
This issue is not exclusive to Russians, as Ukrainians are now increasingly traveling to Bali as well. The governor has also called for restrictions on Ukrainians entering the country, albeit at a considerably lower proportion than Russians. For now, it remains to be seen how the central government will address the ongoing situation.
