DENPASAR, Bali (BPN) – A video of a raid on domestic tourists at Novotel Nusa Dua went viral on social media on Monday (2/13/2023). To clarify the incident, the Bali Tourism Office called up the hotel management along with the tourists in the video on Tuesday (14/2/2023).
As cited from Tourism Office’s press release, Novotel’s management clarified that the video was initiated by the guest Irham Prabu Djaya to surprise his wife, who had a birthday at that time.
The video was fully uploaded on TikTok, but an irresponsible party downloaded the video and edited out the birthday celebration part so that the footage appear as though the hotel’s security and management conducted a raid.
Tjok Bagus Pemayun, the head of the Bali Tourism Office, has responded by reminding the hotel and the guests not to make similar videos since this could be detrimental to Bali tourism in general and the hotel in particular.
“Bali Government can impose strict sanctions to anyone who intentionally or unintentionally violates laws and regulations, including disseminating false information that has a negative impact on Bali tourism,” he said.
Tjok Bagus Pemayun said Bali as an international destination has always been in the world’s attention, especially during this recovery period, with tight competition at the global level.
Meanwhile, the hotel guest who owns the video Irham Prabu Djaya, apologized directly in front of the Governor of Bali Wayan Koster on Tuesday (14/2/2023) evening.
“I am Ilham Prabu Jaya, the owner of the Tik Tok account @iprabu which went viral. Regarding the video I uploaded via TikTok, tonight I am coming before the Governor to express my apology. What has happened was not intentional or expecting for other things,” said Ilham Prabu before the Governor of Bali Wayan Koster who was accompanied by Tjok Bagus Pemayun.
He said the video was made to celebrate his wife’s birthday and admitted to asking the hotel to help him. But he did not expect the result would be this way.
“Once again, I sincerely convey my apologies, including the hotel management, and this is no fault of the hotel staff,” he said.
“I further extend my sincere apologies to any domestic or foreign tourists who may have heard the news that was edited from my video. The truth is that if my video wasn’t edited, it would be obvious that it was a prank. I promise I won’t make that mistake again. I hope my explanation is understandable and can clarify this problem,” he added.
In the original video which lasts 4 minutes and 12 seconds, four hotel staff can be seen entering a room and asking for the guests’ marriage certificate.
The staff continued to argue that they only following orders according to the SOP. The male guest and his wife who recorded the incident also did not accept the request to show the marriage certificate.
They kept arguing as if it really was the procedure of the hotel, and then after 3 minutes 41 seconds, another hotel staff came in with a candle.
