I Gusti Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya, Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Bali, urged the local government to tighten supervision of foreign investors entering Bali. Suryawijaya emphasized the importance of ensuring that all incoming investments are legal and licensed, and limiting which types of businesses foreigners can establish to prevent them from taking jobs from local residents. Currently, many foreigners, particularly from Russia, are opening various businesses such as salons, motorbike rentals, and yoga instruction in Bali. To regulate this, Suryawijaya suggested setting a minimum capital requirement for foreigners wanting to start a business in Bali, for example, IDR 10 billion, to prevent them from becoming brokers or middlemen in the area.
Suryawijaya also highlighted the need for clear local government policies on supervision to ensure that Bali remains a culturally-based, high-quality, and dignified tourist destination. He stressed that jobs meant for locals should not be taken over by foreigners, as this would make the local population mere spectators in their own land. Beyond business concerns, Suryawijaya pointed out that many foreign tourists exhibit disruptive behavior that disturbs local life, such as causing disturbances, entering temples or sacred areas without proper attire, and riding motorcycles without helmets. He emphasized the importance of properly regulating such behavior. The Chairman of PHRI Badung suggested that the Bali local government establish a dedicated authority to enforce strict supervision. Additionally, he emphasized that local residents should set and exemplify good behavior in maintaining order and the quality of tourism in Bali.
