Concerns are rising in Bali about increasing crime linked to foreigners, with fears that the island could become a hotspot for organized crime and drug trafficking. Local authorities reported a 16 percent increase in crimes involving foreigners, from 194 cases in 2023 to 226 in 2024. In just the first half of this year, there were already 108 incidents.

Local politician Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih pointed to an influx of low-budget travelers who are staying long-term in unlicensed accommodations as a significant factor contributing to this issue. He noted that the quality of tourists visiting Bali has declined due to the rapid growth of illegal homestays since the Covid-19 pandemic.

Bali sees over 60,000 visitors daily, adding pressure on local resources and safety. Last year, more than 6.3 million foreign tourists visited the island, and officials aim to attract even more this year. However, residents worry that such unchecked tourism is drawing criminal elements and undermining public safety.

Original article

The article provides an overview of a rising concern in Bali regarding an increase in crime associated with foreigners, particularly low-budget travelers staying in unlicensed accommodations.

Actionable Information: The article does not offer any immediate steps or plans for readers to take. It primarily informs about the issue and its potential causes, leaving readers with no direct actions to address the problem.

Educational Depth: It provides some educational value by explaining the link between the rise in crime and the influx of low-budget travelers, as well as the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on illegal homestays. However, it does not delve deeply into the historical context or provide comprehensive explanations of the systems and causes behind these issues.

Personal Relevance: The topic is relevant to anyone planning to visit Bali or those who are concerned about public safety and the potential impact of tourism on local communities. It highlights the potential risks and changes that may affect travelers' experiences and the overall safety and well-being of the local population.

Public Service Function: While the article raises awareness about a legitimate concern, it does not provide any direct public service functions such as official warnings, safety guidelines, or emergency contacts. It primarily serves to inform and potentially spark discussion or action from relevant authorities.

Practicality of Advice: As the article does not offer any advice or recommendations, the practicality of its content is not applicable in this context.

Long-Term Impact: By drawing attention to the issue, the article may contribute to long-term solutions and improvements in tourism management and public safety in Bali. However, without specific actions or plans, its long-term impact is limited.

Emotional/Psychological Impact: The article may evoke emotions such as concern or even fear regarding the potential risks associated with tourism in Bali. However, it does not provide any strategies or support to help readers process these emotions or take constructive action.

Clickbait/Ad-Driven Words: The article does not employ clickbait or sensational language. It presents the information in a straightforward manner, focusing on the facts and potential implications.

In summary, the article serves as an informative piece, raising awareness about a pertinent issue in Bali. While it provides some educational value and personal relevance, it lacks actionable steps, practical advice, and a strong public service function. Its emotional impact is limited, and it does not resort to clickbait tactics.

The rise in crime associated with foreigners in Bali threatens the very fabric of community and kinship that has long sustained this place. The described influx of low-budget travelers, staying in unlicensed accommodations, undermines the trust and responsibility that should bind neighbors and locals together.

When tourists, especially those with limited means, are drawn to an area in such large numbers, it places a strain on resources and can lead to a breakdown in the peaceful resolution of conflicts. The rapid growth of illegal homestays, as noted by local politician Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih, indicates a lack of respect for the established order and a disregard for the duties owed to the community. This behavior, if left unchecked, will erode the sense of shared responsibility and stewardship of the land that is vital for the survival of the people and their culture.

The increase in crime, particularly among foreigners, is a clear sign that the balance is being disrupted. Elders in cultures that honor kinship and the land would recognize this as a threat to the harmony and safety of their community. They would likely call for a return to clear personal duties and a restoration of the moral order that has kept families and clans strong for generations.

To restore trust and repair the broken duties, those responsible for this disruption must take personal action. They should acknowledge their role in contributing to the decline in quality of life for locals and make amends. This could involve supporting local initiatives to regulate tourism, ensuring that visitors are respectful of the community and its resources, and contributing fairly to the upkeep and protection of the land and its people.

If this behavior spreads unchecked, the consequences are dire. Families will become more divided, with increased conflict and a breakdown of the support networks that have traditionally protected children and elders. The bond between people, the very essence of community, will weaken, and the land they share will suffer from neglect and misuse. Without a strong sense of kinship and responsibility, the survival of the people and their unique culture is at risk.

This critique highlights the importance of local stewardship and the need for individuals to recognize and uphold their duties to their community and the land. It is a reminder that moral order and the protection of life and balance depend on personal responsibility, not on distant authorities or abstract ideologies.

"Local politician Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih pointed to an influx of low-budget travelers who are staying long-term in unlicensed accommodations as a significant factor contributing to this issue."

This sentence shows a bias towards a certain class or money group. By describing travelers as "low-budget," it implies that their financial status is a problem and associates it with criminal activity. This bias targets those with less money, suggesting they are more likely to be involved in crime. The use of "influx" and "unlicensed" also paints a negative picture, making it seem like these travelers are an unwanted burden.

The text evokes a range of emotions, primarily centered around concern and fear. These emotions are expressed through the use of descriptive language and the presentation of factual data, which together paint a picture of a potential crisis situation.

Concern is evident in the opening sentence, where the rising crime linked to foreigners is described. This concern is further emphasized by the specific statistics provided, showing a 16% increase in crimes involving foreigners, which serves to highlight the severity of the issue. The concern is also reflected in the words of the local politician, Agung Bagus Pratiksa Linggih, who points to the influx of low-budget travelers and the decline in tourist quality as significant factors contributing to the problem.

Fear is another dominant emotion in the text. The fear is twofold: firstly, there is a fear of the island becoming a hotspot for organized crime and drug trafficking, which is a serious and concerning development. Secondly, there is a fear among residents that unchecked tourism is attracting criminal elements and endangering public safety. This fear is likely to be heightened by the large number of daily visitors, which puts pressure on local resources and potentially exacerbates the crime issue.

These emotions are used to guide the reader's reaction by creating a sense of urgency and importance. By presenting the issue as a rising concern and highlighting the potential dangers, the text aims to capture the reader's attention and make them aware of the problem. The use of specific statistics and the politician's quote adds credibility to the message, making it more likely for the reader to take the issue seriously.

The writer employs various persuasive techniques to enhance the emotional impact of the text. One such technique is the repetition of the word "increase," which emphasizes the growing nature of the problem and creates a sense of escalation. The use of the phrase "unchecked tourism" also carries an emotional weight, suggesting a lack of control and potentially dangerous consequences. Additionally, the comparison between the rapid growth of illegal homestays and the decline in tourist quality is a powerful tool to evoke an emotional response, as it suggests a direct correlation between these two factors and the rise in crime.

By using these emotional and persuasive techniques, the writer aims to steer the reader's thinking towards a shared concern for the potential negative impacts of unchecked tourism on Bali's safety and reputation. It is a strategic use of language to influence public opinion and potentially drive action towards addressing this issue.