RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s immigration agency has reaffirmed its stance on protecting national jurisdiction, stressing that foreign nationals are prohibited from organizing events in the country.

The reminder comes after two Dutch citizens were barred from re-entering Indonesia following allegations they acted as organizers of a running event in Bali.

Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko explained that foreigners may only participate as official crew members or part of an international team, but not as independent organizers.

“Foreigners cannot create their own rules or exclusivity within Indonesia’s jurisdiction,” he said in Jakarta on Friday, July 24, 2026, as quoted by Antara, emphasizing that all activities involving foreign nationals must comply with Indonesian law and immigration regulations.

As part of the investigation, the Ngurah Rai Immigration Office summoned PT SIG, the guarantor of the two individuals, to clarify their activities and whether they aligned with their residence permits.

Hendarsam noted that if the guarantor is found to have violated immigration provisions, legal proceedings will follow.

The two Dutch nationals--identified as JAS (35), holder of a limited stay permit for work, and HQV (37), holder of an investor permit--departed Indonesia on July 23 via Ngurah Rai International Airport bound for Singapore. Both have since been placed on the immigration blacklist.

Hendarsam stressed that immigration functions go beyond providing services to foreigners. “Immigration also safeguards public order, ensures legal certainty, and protects the interests of society from violations of immigration rules,” he concluded.

The case underscores Indonesia’s broader effort to balance openness to international participation with strict enforcement of national sovereignty. ***