Kiwi Man Returns to New Zealand After Four-Month Bali Detention
A New Zealand man, Andrew McLean, has returned to New Zealand after being held in an immigration detention center in Bali for four months. His ordeal stemmed from a domestic assault complaint filed by his former partner, leading to the revocation of his Limited Stay Permit (ITAS) in September 2025.
McLean, 44, arrived back in New Zealand on January 31, following a final court ruling that allowed Indonesian immigration authorities to proceed with his deportation. The delay in his deportation was initially caused by local police requesting further time to investigate the complaint, leaving him in a legally “murky” situation, according to Craig Tuck, head of LawAid International.
The case highlights the increasing scrutiny of foreign nationals in Bali and the potential for lengthy detention periods even for minor offenses. McLean was ultimately convicted of minor assault against his ex-partner in the Denpasar District Court on January 28, paving the way for his deportation.
Tuck explained that the complaint arose during what he described as a property dispute between the former couple. “Mr McLean owns property in Bali and travels regularly… As is the way for so many in Bali, property can be a significant issue with local lawyers and police working together,” he said.
For much of his detention, McLean was held without a formal charge, a situation Tuck described as legally precarious. The initial deportation process was halted in November when police intervened, requesting a delay to continue their inquiries. This resulted in McLean remaining in immigration custody for an extended period.
The situation underscores a broader trend of stricter immigration enforcement in Bali. Recent changes to Indonesian immigration laws now carry the potential for significantly harsher penalties, including prison sentences of up to 20 years or even life for visa violations. Operation Jagratara, launched by the Indonesian Department of Immigration, has deployed over 125 officers and numerous patrol vehicles across the island to increase surveillance of foreign nationals.
In 2024 alone, over 400 people were deported from Bali due to immigration law violations. Governor I Wayan Koster confirmed that between January and March 2025, 128 foreign nationals were deported, with Russian citizens accounting for the largest number of deportations (32), followed by the United States (10), Australia (6), India (6), Timor Leste (6), and Ukraine (6). Deportations have been carried out for offenses ranging from disturbing public order to working illegally without proper permits.
Recent incidents, such as the deportation of a 27-year-old United States citizen for vandalism in April 2025, demonstrate the “zero-tolerance approach” being implemented by Indonesian authorities. The US citizen, identified as MM, was found to have violated Indonesian criminal code and immigration law.
Governor Koster emphasized that Bali remains open to international tourists but stressed the importance of respecting local laws and customs. “There will be no tolerance for foreign nationals who behave disruptively or violate the law in Bali,” he stated. The increased enforcement efforts aim to ensure Bali remains a safe and conducive environment for both tourists and residents.
