Indonesian immigration authorities have banned two Dutch nationals from returning to the country after they organized a running event that allegedly discriminated against locals. The organizers, founders of the Entourage Bali community, were blacklisted following viral social media reports that Indonesian citizens were systematically rejected from joining the club’s events.
The controversy centers on the Bali Silent Disco
run, a high-profile event where up to 150 participants jog through Canggu at 5:30 a.m. wearing glowing wireless headphones, led by a mobile DJ on a moving ute. While the event projected an image of inclusivity, leaked messages and testimonials suggested a rigid vetting process that favored foreigners over residents of the island.
Immigration Ban for JAS and HQV
Indonesian officials identified the two organizers as JAS (35), who held a limited stay permit (ITAS) for work, and HQV (37), an ITAS investor. The pair, widely known online to be Joost Storms and Hidde van Vliet, left Bali for Singapore on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, just hours before immigration officers attempted to detain them.
The crackdown was not based solely on the allegations of social exclusion. Bali’s Director General of Immigration, Hendarsam Marantoko, stated that the organizers violated immigration laws by organizing the event without the required permits. Under Indonesian law, foreign nationals are prohibited from managing or operating commercial events without appropriate authorization; they are generally only permitted to serve as crew or official teams for international performers.
Marantoko further characterized the exclusivity of the group as an attempt to create a negara di dalam negara
(a state within a state), signaling that the government views the formation of exclusive, foreigner-only bubbles on public roads and rice-field paths as a challenge to national sovereignty and local respect.
Allegations of Systematic Discrimination
The backlash erupted after screenshots circulated on platforms like Threads and Instagram showing a stark divide in how applicants were treated. One Indonesian woman reported that while her own application was held for review, her husband’s application—using a Western-style name and number—was instantly approved.
Other leaked exchanges reportedly showed an organizer asking a prospective member, By the way, are you Indonesian?
Upon the applicant confirming they were, the organizer allegedly replied that it explained the rejection because the platform was specifically for digital nomads
. In contrast, a German applicant was reportedly approved instantly with a party emoji.
This perceived exclusivity drew condemnation from other expatriates in Bali. English runner Josh Fothergill and fellow runner Jack Ahearn posted videos calling for the group to change its behavior, with Ahearn questioning how foreigners could come to another country and feel entitled to exclude the local population.
Entourage Bali’s Technical Defense
In a Friday statement, Entourage Bali denied intentional discrimination, attributing the rejections to errors in the automated approval process for their WhatsApp chat groups. The group claimed that some Indonesian phone numbers (those starting with +62) were incorrectly rejected by the system.
The organization attempted to frame its community as an inclusive hub for digital nomads regardless of nationality.
| Participant Group | Approximate Percentage |
|---|---|
| Digital Nomads / Foreigners | 75 per cent |
| Local Community / Indonesians | 25 per cent |
Despite these claims, the group has paused all events and activities and issued an apology to those offended, promising real changes going forward
.
Local Friction and the Digital Nomad Tension
The incident has reignited broader tensions in Bali, where the surge of digital nomads has led to friction over perceived entitlement and the displacement of local culture. Beyond the discrimination claims, the run club was criticized for causing traffic congestion in the Canggu area.
/data/photo/2026/07/24/6a62e612c4e58.jpg "Photo: kompas.com")
While Entourage Bali has paused operations, it remains unclear if the group will attempt to restructure under new leadership or if the ban on JAS and HQV will lead to a broader audit of other expatriate-led social clubs operating in the region.
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