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THE BALI Transportation Agency reminded that every foreign tourist who wants to drive on the Island of the Gods must have a driving license or an international driver’s license. That is proof that the person concerned is fit or proficient at driving on public roads.
“Internationally, actually people are allowed to drive vehicles, but they must have the right license. This is what must be ensured, if they don’t have (SIM), yes, they can’t, they have to be disciplined, they have to have a license,” said Head of the Bali Transportation Agency Samsi Gunarta, Tuesday (5/9), 2023.
Previously circulated photos and videos recording the actions of foreign tourists in Bali recklessly riding rented motorbikes. In addition, there are not a few foreign tourists who drive but do not have a license, do not wear helmets and wear inappropriate clothing.
“We have a problem that many foreign tourists who only wear bikinis rent motorbikes and ride them even though they did not understand how to ride a motorbike before. Although it is difficult to fix this habit, we are trying to overcome it,” said Samsi.
Ban Governor of Bali
Bali Governor Wayan Koster previously stated that foreign tourists would be prohibited from renting motorbikes. According to him, Bali already has a number of regulations governing foreign nationals through the Bali Governor’s regulation regarding tourism management, including a ban on foreign nationals from using motorized vehicles.
“So tourists have to travel by road using cars from travel agents. It is no longer allowed to use vehicles that are not from travel agents,” said Koster, Sunday, March 12, 2023.
According to Koster, this rule will take effect from 2023 after the Covid-19 pandemic to improve the tourism system in Bali. He wants tourism on the Island of the Gods not only to be oriented towards the number of visits each year, but to maintain quality, cultured tourism by enforcing laws and regulations.
This policy, said Koster, could only be executed this year considering that in the previous year Bali tourism was quiet because there were no tourist visits. “Why now? Because we are currently cleaning up because of the pandemic, we didn’t apply it because there weren’t any tourists. Now it’s starting to be arranged,” he said.
The rules referred to by Koster refer to Article 7 of Bali Governor Regulation Number 28 of 2020 concerning Bali Tourism Management. The content is that tourists visiting Bali are qualified tourists with one of the main requirements being to behave in an orderly manner and always use the means of transportation for business travel services. Based on the results of coordination with the Bali Province Transportation Agency, motorbikes have not yet been included in the category of tourism vehicles.
Although the local government has issued a number of statements regarding the ban, Samsi said the regulation is still in the drafting process and has not been officially implemented in Bali. “This (regulation) is being discussed, it is in the process. Like it or not, we need to see that this issue is actually happening because it must be regulated and regulated,” he said.
Samsi said the government also expects efforts to improve motor vehicle rental providers regarding this issue. The Provincial Government of Bali is also open to all input from rental providers regarding proper regulations so that no party is harmed.
“If they start it, what do you want, we will push it to be in line with the regulations that the government has, we will fix it together,” said Samsi while reminding that foreign tourists who want to drive in Indonesia must have an international driving license. [source tempo.co]
