Top Indonesian minister says Bali bars and clubs are getting away with health protocol violations

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan. Photo: Ministry handout
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan. Photo: Ministry handout

One of Indonesia’s top ministers appears to have caught wind on how bars and clubs in Bali managed to avoid sanctions despite violating health protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic, alleging that these establishments prohibited their patrons from posting on social media. 

Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Pandjaitan yesterday alleged that many bars and nightclubs are still operating without enforcing proper health protocols. 

“In several bars, [they] prohibit the visitors from taking photos and videos. It’s not allowed so [their violations] remain obscured,” Luhut said. 

According to Luhut, plenty of businesses in Bali are guilty of this. As such, he called on the Bali Provincial Government to give attention to the issue. 

Officials have yet to name names, but after a string of busts over health protocol violations that happened last year was largely exposed from photos and videos going viral, we’re not exactly surprised if businesses have been prohibiting their guests from posting.

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