Kristen Gray, Foreigner in Bali Sparking Twitter Uproar Deported

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Following the numerous public Twitter uproar, two United States citizens identified as Kristen Gray and Saundra Michelle Alexander - the former who previously sparked an online debate over the legality of her visit in Bali - were deported by Indonesian immigration office over visa violation.

According to Bali officials, the two U.S. nationals violated their visa stay by conducting business and working in Bali. 

“The foreign citizens (WNA) used visitors visa to go on a vacation in Indonesia but allegedly implicated themselves in business activities by selling e-books and charging people for consultations in the Dewata Island,” said Jamaruli Manihuruk, head Law and Human Rights Ministry’s Bali branch office on Tuesday, January 19.

Gray and her friend were reprimanded under Article 122 (a) on Law No.6/2011 on Immigration. “Both of them are banned from entering Indonesia for the next six months,” said Jamaruli.

She previously made herself viral on Twitter after encouraging foreign nationals to come and stay in Bali during the pandemic and even sold a tutorial e-book during her stay in Bali for nearly a year. Immigration officials explained that she had charged US$30 for her e-book and another US$50 for a 45-minute consultation session. 

“There were in-fact business aspects there,” he said. 

Kristen Gray first entered Indonesia on January 21, 2020, from Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport and extended her visa permit on December 22, 2020, which is valid until January 24, 2021. She defended on Twitter that she had not violated immigration law and had not conducted business during her stay in Indonesia but made an argument that she was deported because of making comments regarding LGBT.

Also Read: Kristen Gray Twitter Debacle; State Minister Asserts 'Respect the Law'

ANTARA