Dutch founders of 'foreigners-only' run club banned from Indonesia

Two Dutch nationals, Joost Storms and Hidde van Vliet, have been banned from Indonesia after authorities accused them of operating a discriminatory 'foreigner-only' run club in Bali called Entourage Bali. The club, which organized group runs in areas like Canggu, Uluwatu, and Ubud, promoted itself as a "curated social community" for "travellers, nomads and expats." Controversy arose when Indonesian applicants claimed they were excluded, with one woman alleging her application was postponed due to her Indonesian name and number, while her husband with a Western name was accepted. Screenshots also showed rejections based on nationality or local phone numbers, with one user being told the platform was for "digital nomads." Bali's director general of immigration, Hendersam Marantoko, ordered an inspection and immediate arrest of any foreign nationals involved, suspecting violations of regulations and discrimination. Storms and van Vliet reportedly left for Singapore before they could be detained. The club is also accused of operating without proper permits for foreign-run commercial activities in public spaces. Entourage Bali issued an apology, stating their automated WhatsApp approval system created unintended bias and that their community included members from many countries, including Indonesia, with certain events designed for digital nomads. Bali-based senator Niluh Djelantik criticized the exploitation of the island's openness and disrespect towards locals. The incident has