Jakarta. A Bali-based running community, Entourage Club, has come under fire after multiple Indonesians alleged they were barred from joining its activities while foreign participants were accepted, triggering accusations of racial discrimination.

The controversy began after X user Joey (@Joey_ardiva) alleged that the club repeatedly rejected applicants whose WhatsApp numbers were registered in Indonesia, beginning with the +62 country code.

The allegations quickly gained traction, with numerous social media users coming forward to share similar experiences. Several Indonesians posted screenshots of their interactions with the club's WhatsApp application process, claiming their applications were delayed, ignored, or rejected after they submitted Indonesian names or phone numbers.

One user on Threads (@channisaraa) alleged their application was postponed because they had an Indonesian name and phone number, while their husband's application was approved immediately after he applied using a Western name and foreign phone number. Another user claimed their application received no further response after they entered an Indonesian name, despite the club no longer asking applicants to disclose their nationality.

Other users also claimed they were accepted after registering with foreign phone numbers despite previously being unable to join using Indonesian (+62) numbers, fueling speculation that the club was screening applicants based on their phone country code rather than their nationality.

The controversy also extended to some of the club's activities, with social media users alleging that participants were charged to join certain events. The claims prompted questions over whether the organizers had obtained the necessary permits for such activities in Bali.

The backlash later drew criticism from Bali-based expatriates Josh Fothergill and Jack Ahearn, who condemned the alleged discrimination in a joint video posted on Instagram through their accounts, @Joshberlari and @jackahearn_.

The pair said they decided to speak out because they believed it was time to "stand up for what's right," arguing that some foreigners had come to Indonesia only to build exclusive communities that took over public roads, caused traffic congestion, and discriminated against locals.

"How do you come to someone else's country and think you have the right to do that? It's time we stand up for the Indonesian people we love," they said, adding that such behavior only reinforces the stereotype that foreigners are racist.

They also thanked Indonesians for their hospitality, describing them as among the friendliest people in the world, and said any running club they organized would be open to everyone regardless of nationality.

The video concluded with a blunt message urging Entourage Bali to change its behavior or leave Indonesia.

Following the backlash, Entourage Club issued a public apology on Instagram, saying its mission had "always been to build a welcoming community" regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, or nationality. The club apologized to "anyone who was excluded, hurt, or offended" by its application process, particularly members of the Indonesian community, saying the outcome "was never our intention."

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