Palestinian UNHCR Refugee Detained in Bali Over Alleged Tour Promotion

Badung, Bali — A 35-year-old Palestinian man with recognized refugee status has been placed in formal immigration detention in Bali after officials alleged he was commercially promoting tour packages in Jungutbatu on Nusa Lembongan without proper authorization, according to immigration authorities and local media reports.

The man, identified by his initials MAFA, was handed over by the Klungkung Immigration Office to the Denpasar Immigration Detention Center (Rumah Detensi Imigrasi/Rudenim) on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, following an inspection triggered by community complaints in Jungutbatu Village, Nusa Lembongan in Klungkung Regency, according to a statement reported by Detik Bali and other outlets.

Officials from the Klungkung Immigration Office said residents had reported a foreign national allegedly acting as a tourism-service vendor in the area. Subsequent checks led officers to suspect that the individual was offering tourism services in contravention of Indonesia’s immigration rules.

Alleged tourism promotion and legal basis

Investigators found that MAFA had been actively promoting tour and travel packages via social media platforms, according to reports citing immigration officials. The Klungkung Immigration Office assessed that this activity violated Article 75(1) of Law No. 6 of 2011 on Immigration, which allows administrative immigration measures against foreigners whose actions are considered to endanger public order or violate regulations.

Following the inspection and preliminary examination, MAFA was initially placed at Rudenim Denpasar as a temporary detainee starting 3 September 2026, before being formally detained for further review. He was officially received by Rudenim Denpasar as a detainee on 9 September 2026, according to the center’s head, Teguh Mentalyadi, quoted in Detik Bali and other reports.

Media reports state that immigration authorities are applying immigration administrative measures rather than criminal charges at this stage, based on Article 75(1). No public information has yet been released on any court filing or deportation order related to this case.

Refugee status and coordination with UNHCR

Teguh Mentalyadi confirmed that the case requires special handling because MAFA is known as a refugee under the mandate of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Local reports describe him as a UNHCR-registered refugee holding a UNHCR card.

According to coverage by Radio Republik Indonesia’s English service and other outlets, Teguh said officials are conducting an in-depth investigation and coordinating with UNHCR and relevant agencies to ensure that any immigration measures taken against MAFA comply with applicable regulations and his refugee status.

As of 11 September 2026, immigration authorities had not publicly announced a final decision on the case or any subsequent steps such as deportation or transfer to another facility, according to multiple news reports.

Implications for foreign visitors and residents

Immigration officials and local media have framed the case as part of ongoing enforcement against foreign nationals who are suspected of engaging in commercial activities without appropriate permits in Bali. The reports emphasize alleged unauthorized tourism business activity in this specific case, rather than a blanket prohibition on foreign involvement in tourism.

For foreign visitors and residents, the case illustrates that immigration officers are monitoring commercial activities by non-Indonesian nationals, particularly in tourism areas such as Nusa Lembongan. Authorities have indicated that investigations and administrative actions can follow when foreigners are perceived to be working or running businesses outside the scope of their immigration status.

Immigration officials have not publicly detailed which specific visa or stay permit held by MAFA is alleged to have been misused, nor have they disclosed whether he is represented by legal counsel or has formally responded to the allegations, according to available reporting.

Sources

• RRI English – "Bali Immigration Detains Palestinian Refugee Over Tourism Business"
• Detik Bali – "WN Palestina Diamankan di Nusa Lembongan Diserahkan ke Rudenim Denpasar"
• JPNN Bali – "Imigrasi Ciduk Pengungsi Palestina, Nekat Promo Paket Wisata di Nusa Lembongan"
• Media KotaKita – "Nekat Jual Paket Wisata Ilegal, Pengungsi UNHCR Asal Palestina Diamankan Imigrasi Bali"
• Zona Merah News – "Terungkap Pengungsi Palestina Bikin Geger Bali"
• Jafmo News – "Rudenim Denpasar tampung sementara pengungsi Palestina"