BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR –  The Bali Police’s General Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimum) has uncovered three alleged sexual harassment cases involving foreign nationals that occurred consecutively across several areas in Bali from March 23 to 25, 2026. All suspects were arrested in less than 24 hours after the reports were filed.

Director of General Criminal Investigation at Bali Police, Senior Commissioner I Gede Adhi Mulyawarman, said the incidents took place in the early hours, when the victims were returning alone from nightlife venues.

“Most of the victims were coming from entertainment places. They were returning alone in the early morning,” he said on Friday (March 27, 2026).

The first case occurred on Monday, March 23, 2026, at around 1:00 a.m. local time on Jalan Merak Dua, Ungasan Village, South Kuta. The victim, identified as RF (23), a Chinese national, was allegedly sexually harassed by an online motorcycle taxi driver identified as SAM (24).

The suspect allegedly took the victim to a secluded location that did not match the intended destination and committed the act despite the victim’s resistance. Afterward, the victim was taken to her accommodation in Berawa, North Kuta. The suspect was arrested on March 25, 2026, and charged under the Sexual Violence Crime Law and the Criminal Code, facing up to 12 years in prison.

The second case took place on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, at around 4:00 a.m. in Seminyak, Kuta. The victim, KN (21), an Australian national, was allegedly harassed by a hotel security officer identified as ABM (29).

The incident occurred when the victim returned to the hotel to retrieve belongings. The suspect allegedly carried out the act in a hotel bathroom area. He was arrested on March 26, 2026, in West Denpasar and charged under Article 6(a) of Law No. 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crimes, which carries a maximum sentence of four years in prison and a fine of up to Rp200 million.

The third case occurred on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at around 4:00 a.m. at a hotel on Jalan Pantai Batu Bolong, Canggu, North Kuta. The victim, identified as QY alias LZ (33), a Chinese national, was allegedly harassed by a hotel front desk officer identified as KYP (24).

The incident began when the victim lost her room key and asked the suspect for assistance. In a quiet area, the suspect allegedly grabbed the victim from behind and attempted to commit sexual harassment. He was arrested on March 26, 2026, on Jalan Raya Uluwatu and charged under Article 414 paragraph (1)(b) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, carrying a maximum penalty of nine years in prison.

Bali Police stated that the swift resolution of the three cases was supported by scientific evidence, including medical examinations of the victims and CCTV footage.

“In proving the cases, we used scientific methods, including medical reports and electronic evidence, ensuring that criminal acts did occur,” Mulyawarman emphasized.

Police also assured that victim protection remains a top priority and stressed that there is no victim-blaming in handling such cases.

However, authorities urged the public, particularly tourists, to remain vigilant by avoiding traveling alone late at night, using registered app-based transportation, and steering clear of unregistered transport services.

“To prevent crime, it is important to eliminate opportunities that could be exploited by perpetrators. Security is a shared responsibility, especially as Bali is a tourist destination,” he concluded.