Indonesia deports Dutch founders of Bali run club

Indonesia’s Directorate General of Immigration placed Dutch nationals Joost Storms (35) and Hidde van Vliet (37) on a travel‑ban list after accusations that their Entourage Bali “Silent Disco Run” excluded Indonesian residents. The club, marketed to digital nomads, drew about 150 participants and faced complaints that locals were denied entry, prompting a social‑media outcry and a complaint from a Bali senator. Director General Hendarsam Marantoko ordered that any foreign participants be arrested and said the event violated permit regulations; the founders fled to Singapore before detention. Entourage Bali apologized, suspended all events and is under investigation for permit violations and alleged discrimination.

In July 2026 the two organizers were deported from Indonesia and formally added to the travel‑ban list. Marantoko described their operation as “a state within a state” that breached immigration rules, announcing a zero‑tolerance response and opening investigations into the visa sponsors and any businesses that facilitated the breach. The organizers denied discriminatory intent, noting that most registrants used Indonesian phone numbers and that no official ban prevented locals from joining; Badung Police confirmed the RSVP system allowed local participation. The episode has prompted other Bali run clubs to pause activities while reviewing community‑engagement policies amid a broader crackdown on foreign‑led events, underscoring tensions between Bali’s tourism boom and stricter enforcement of immigration and public‑assembly regulations.