Jakarta. Christian Giacobbe, founder of the Bali Comedy Club, has urged foreigners living in Indonesia to respect local customs and adapt to the country's way of life following public outrage over a Bali running club accused of excluding Indonesians from one of its events.

In a video posted on Instagram on Friday, the Italian comedian -- who has lived in Indonesia for nine years -- said foreigners should remember that they are guests and should not expect the country to accommodate them.

"I've been living in Indonesia for nine years and I love Indonesia. But even after nine years, I know that I'm still a guest. It's always important to remember as a foreigner that Indonesia doesn't have to adapt for me. I need to adapt for Indonesia," Giacobbe said.

Although he did not explicitly mention the controversy, the video came days after allegations that a Bali-based running club accepted only foreign participants for a road-running event, triggering accusations of racial discrimination and widespread criticism on social media.

Giacobbe's message was followed by a montage of other expatriates -- several speaking fluent Indonesian -- echoing the same sentiment.

"Indonesia gave me and all the people in this video so many opportunities. I always say every chance I get that I'm living the Indonesian dream," the 41-year-old said.

He also criticized what he described as the hypocrisy of some expatriates who complain about immigration in their own countries while failing to respect local communities abroad.

"The funny thing to me is that many of the people that constantly disrespect the local community are the same people who complain about immigrants in their own country... We are immigrants. I'm proud to be an immigrant in Indonesia."

In an earlier video, Giacobbe directly criticized the organizer of the controversial "fun run," saying he had received messages from people who claimed Indonesians were prevented from registering.

He cited one example involving an Indonesian woman and her German husband, who separately attempted to register for the event.

"They both tried to join. Of course he got accepted and she didn't," Giacobbe said, while displaying screenshots of messages purportedly exchanged with the couple and the event organizers.

Giacobbe previously lived in the United States, Iceland and Greece before settling in Indonesia, where he co-founded the Bali Comedy Club with Indonesian comedian Reggy Hasibuan.

The controversy has since prompted immigration authorities to bar two Dutch nationals accused of organizing the event from re-entering Indonesia.

Director General of Immigration Hendarsam Marantoko said the pair were placed on Indonesia's blacklist after departing for Singapore on Wednesday.

"There cannot be a state within a state. This running event was a form of creating a state within a state," Hendarsam said.

The two Dutch nationals, identified only by the initials JAS, 35, and HQV, 37, allegedly organized the Entourage Run community event in Canggu. One held a limited stay permit for employment, while the other held an investor visa.

According to Hendarsam, foreigners may not organize events in Indonesia unless such activities are consistent with the purpose of their residence permits.

"Foreign nationals cannot create their own rules or exclusivity within Indonesia's jurisdiction," he said.

Following the backlash, Entourage Club apologized, saying an automated onboarding system had unintentionally introduced bias into its registration process.

Giacobbe dismissed that explanation.

"The bias was automated. It means that they made an option -- because when you want to join, you have to put your nationality -- that if you put 'Indonesia,' you were automatically kicked out. And of course they're very sorry," he said sarcastically.

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