A video of an Australian woman arguing with Bali traffic police officers after she was stopped for not wearing a helmet went viral yesterday, with Indonesian netizens shaking their heads at her behavior.
The clip was reportedly taken in Canggu yesterday by Instagram user @greatestescape_bali, who has shared it with several community accounts.
In the video, the woman, who police identified as Australian, can be seen wearing all-pink gym attire, a backpack, and a headphone while driver her Vespa. She was seen arguing with a police officer who stopped her on the road for not wearing the most important equipment of all: a helmet.
“We have rules!” the policeman insisted.
“I’ve been here for 23 years!” she retorted in Indonesian, claiming that her helmet was stolen the night before.
“Don’t touch my things!” she shouted in English as officers tried to lead her vehicle away from the busy road and park her scooter.
The argument continued as the woman kept on raising her voice while gesticulating to the officers.
Naturally, Indonesian netizens were outraged by the audacity of the caucasian.
“Just another entitled bule in Canggu,” said @akuluka on Twitter, using the local slang word that refers to foreigners, usually caucasians.
“Is this because we have always been too polite?” said @h_radite.
Interestingly, amid the drama, the clip also showed another foreigner passing by without a helmet. It was unclear whether he was later stopped by the officers or not.
Bali Police spokesman Stefanus Satake Bayu Setianto told Coconuts Bali that the incident took place yesterday at around 1:30pm on Tibubeneng Street in North Kuta, Badung.
“The police officer who stopped her was Anang Agung Upadana,” Stefanus said, adding that the woman tried to evade the officer.
In a police statement received by Coconuts, the Australian woman was identified as Marita Leaning Daniell.
Police confirmed that the Aussie was fined. Under Indonesia’s traffic law, driving a motorcycle without a helmet is an offense punishable by a fine of IDR250K (US$16.16).
