A tourist from Australia has caused significant anger after he was allegedly filmed stealing a baseball cap from a local driver and refusing to return it during a holiday in Bali.
The Heated Confrontation
The incident, which took place earlier this month, saw the man, sporting a mullet hairstyle, get into a heated exchange with a driver for Gojek, Indonesia's leading ride-hailing service. Footage from the scene showed the tourist arguing with the driver after he allegedly snatched the man's cap and placed it on his own head.
During the scuffle, the tourist was seen pointing to the ground, apparently instructing the driver to pick up his sunglasses which had fallen. As the driver made several attempts to get his hat back, the situation escalated further when the Australian allegedly grabbed the driver by the shirt and pushed him away.
Witness Accounts and Growing Tensions
Witnesses quickly intervened to separate the pair. One onlooker claimed the tourist was 'already drunk' before the alleged theft occurred. 'The driver tried to take back his hat, but the foreigner refused and began causing trouble,' they told local media, adding, 'That is how it is here in Bali, some tourists behave as if they are in charge.'
This violent episode is the latest in a string of cases exposing the poor conduct of some Australian tourists at the popular holiday destination. In March, Indonesian authorities explicitly put Australians on notice for their behaviour.
Bali's Crackdown on Disrespectful Tourists
Re-elected Governor Wayan Koster warned that travellers who fail to show respect for the island's people, culture, and environment would face harsh fines and even jail time. He issued an updated list of banned acts, which includes aggressive or disrespectful behaviour such as swearing, causing disturbances, or being rude to locals, officials, or other tourists. The rules also prohibit sharing hate speech or misinformation on social media.
This builds upon the formal guidelines introduced in 2023, which outline twelve obligations and eight prohibitions for foreign visitors. Despite these measures, Bali remains a top travel destination for Australians, attracting 6.33 million overseas tourists in 2024. Of these, more than 1.5 million were Australians, accounting for a significant 24 per cent of the island's international arrivals.
The Australian government's Smartraveller website also cautions tourists that disrespecting local laws can lead to criminal penalties. 'You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards,' the advice states, urging visitors to respect local customs and religious beliefs to avoid deportation or criminal charges.
