Canggu, BaliEyewitnessNews – The Badung Police Criminal Investigation Unit in Bali has arrested a 27-year-old Australian national, identified by the initials BA, for allegedly committing an indecent act in a local resident’s yard that subsequently went viral on social media.
Bali Regional Police Spokesperson Sr. Comr. Ariasandy stated in Badung on Wednesday that officers detained BA after Unit 4 of the Badung Police Criminal Investigation Unit successfully identified his face and features from the viral footage.
“The swift response of the Badung Police Criminal Investigation Unit led to the apprehension of the suspect following a public indecent act that went viral on social media,” Ariasandy said.
He explained that the arrest was carried out by Unit 4 of the Badung Police Criminal Investigation Unit, under the leadership of Insp. I Gusti Ngurah Bayu Handaka. The investigation team then coordinated with the Ngurah Rai Class I Special Immigration Office to track the suspect’s whereabouts.
According to information gathered by officers, the foreign tourist was scheduled to board a flight back home from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at around 12:00 p.m. WITA.
Upon receiving the tip-off, police and immigration officers immediately rushed to the airport. BA was ultimately intercepted and taken into custody right before boarding his flight.
“During preliminary questioning, BA admitted to his actions,” Ariasandy said.
The incident took place in an alley outside a local residence on Jalan Pantai Berawa, Gang Family, Tibubeneng, Badung. BA told investigators that he had met a woman at a nearby beach club earlier that evening. The pair then left the venue intoxicated and engaged in indecent behavior directly in front of the residence.
The homeowner witnessed the act and raised an alarm with neighbors, after which video of the incident began circulating online.
According to Ariasandy, BA remains in custody at Badung Police Headquarters for further interrogation. Law enforcement authorities continue to coordinate with Immigration officials regarding the Australian national’s status.
For his actions, BA faces charges under Article 406 and/or Article 407 of Law No. 1/2023 on the Criminal Code (KUHP) pertaining to public indecency offenses.
The Bali Regional Police reaffirmed that they will not tolerate any legal violation, particularly acts committed in public spaces that breach public peace. “We strongly urge all visitors, both domestic and international, to respect local norms, customs, and laws while in Bali,” Ariasandy said.
On January 2 of this year, Indonesia formally implemented its new Criminal Code a lengthy legal document which ushered in a number of new and revised laws that criminalise premarital sex, cohabitation and public drunkenness.
In March this year, three tourists were arrested in Bali after local police accused them of filming pornographic content on the holiday island.
North Kuta chief police commander Ketut Sukadana said this week the alleged “indecent acts have the potential to cause public concern.”
“Particularly among the residents of Tibubeneng, and may negatively affect the image of security and tourism in the North Kuta area if the matter is not addressed and handled seriously by taking firm action against the perpetrators, whether under local customary law or national law,” he said.
