Bali Faces Rising Crime Amid Tourist Shift

Locals Report Surge in Criminal Activity Linked to New Visitor Demographics

Bali, once celebrated for its serene atmosphere, is experiencing a discernible shift in its tourist profile post-pandemic. Residents and officials observe an influx of budget travelers, digital nomads, and expatriates, a change that some believe is correlated with an increase in criminal elements on the Indonesian island.

Changing Tourist Landscape Fuels Concern

A Bali politician, Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih, noted a rise in visitors staying for extended periods with limited funds. He expressed concern that local infrastructure is struggling to adapt. “The quality of tourists coming to Bali is decreasing,” Linggih stated. “This is due to the rapid growth of illegal homestays, which allows low-budget foreigners to stay longer in Bali.”

Paul Werner, owner of PaD Bar and Grill in Kuta, who has lived in Bali for a decade, echoed these sentiments. He observed a surge in money flowing into the island since COVID-19, with a corresponding uptick in incidents. “Crime generally follows where the tourists are going,” Werner remarked. “It is mainly a lot of drunk westerners not knowing how to level out their alcohol and fighting over nothing.” He posed the question, “Is [crime here] getting worse, or is it the Australians coming here getting worse?”

The island was recently shaken by a fatal shooting in June, resulting in the death of 32-year-old Melbourne man Zivan Radmanovic. Police have charged three Australians with premeditated murder in connection with the incident, which reportedly occurred after individuals stormed his villa with his wife inside. Authorities continue their investigation, acknowledging the possibility that Radmanovic may not have been the intended victim.

Echoes of Past Troubles

Bali’s relationship with Australian visitors has historically been marked by occasional misconduct and a shadow of drug-related crimes, including high-profile cases like Schapelle Corby and the Bali Nine. However, the recent emergence of violent acts like shootings is a new cause for alarm.

Jan Laczynski, a Melbourne resident who lost five friends in the 2002 Bali bombings, believes that while most visitors and locals still feel safe, organized crime is becoming more apparent. “Shootings in Bali are unheard of. In Melbourne, they happen all the time, but not here,” he commented. “People are asking how they even got the guns. Is there an underworld market forming?”

Despite Bali’s allure, official statistics paint a different picture of general safety. Indonesia boasts one of the lowest crime rates globally, with only three firearm-related crimes recorded in Bali in 2023, according to Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency. The nation’s homicide rate was 0.4 per 100,000 people as of 2017, less than half of Australia’s rate at the time.

However, Bali police have noted a concerning 16% increase in foreigners involved in criminal activities in 2024, rising to 226 cases from 194 in the previous year. These offenses span cybercrime, narcotics, violent incidents, and land fraud.

We need quality tourism, not just quantity.

—Piter Panjaitan, Bali social justice advocate

Piter Panjaitan, a Bali social justice advocate, highlighted growing local unease. He detailed incidents of meth labs, villa burglaries, crypto scams, property fraud, and ATM theft, frequently involving individuals from Russian or Eastern European backgrounds. Panjaitan attributes this trend to Bali’s open-door tourism policies and post-pandemic economic pressures. “Corruption, weak law enforcement, and easy entry make it a haven for some criminals,” he asserted, calling for stricter immigration controls, enhanced police training in tourist zones, and improved international cooperation.

Organized Crime Adaptation

Criminology professor Adrianus Meliala from the University of Indonesia suggests Bali could witness an escalation in organized crime. “The demographics are changing, with more foreigners settling long-term, some bringing conflicts and criminal elements from their home countries,” he observed. Meliala believes Bali’s accessibility and affordability make it an attractive base for criminal groups. “It’s close, it’s cheap, and law enforcement struggles to keep up,” he explained. “Organized crime is not just terrorism or people smuggling any more – it’s broader now, and Bali is attractive economically and logistically.”

Approximately half a million tourists visit Bali each month, supplemented by a growing number of digital nomads. The provincial government aims to attract a record 6.5 million international visitors this year, placing further strain on the island’s infrastructure. Munggu village chief I Ketut Darta reported the rapid construction of 400 villas this year alone, many foreign-owned, impacting agricultural land. He expressed concern about the effect of rapid changes and foreign influx on community security, where violence has historically been rare. “We patrol our village 24 hours a day. Tourism is our lifeblood, and we must protect it,” Darta stated.