Thread: Indonesia justice: Foreign tourists in Gili island 'walk of shame'

Last week photos surfaced of two unidentified Western tourists being paraded around an Indonesian island in a "walk of shame" for alleged theft.

The images show a foreign man and woman walking alongside uniformed officers on the island of Gili Trawangan, with cardboard signs around their necks.

The signs read: "I am thieve [sic]. Don't do what I did...!!!"

The practice of parading those deemed to have committed crimes on the Gili Islands has gone on for many years although its exact origins are unclear.

After pictures of the incident appeared on social media, including an official Facebook page for the tiny islands, a number of questions have been asked about this unusual ritual.


What is the 'walk of shame'?

The head of West Nusa Tenggara province tourism office, Lalu Muhamad Fauzal, told the BBC that the practice of parading those considered to have committed crimes on the islands came out of an agreement between locals and police on the mainland.

Most such walks happen on Gili Trawangan, the largest and most developed of the three Gili Islands, off the coast of Lombok, about 40km (25 miles) east of Bali.


Why is it done?

The police do not have a permanent presence on the tiny islands of Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno or Gili Air. Instead, private security officers generally guard the islands, with support from mainland authorities when necessary.

Most of the uniformed men in pictures of the latest parade appear to be such private guards, although at least one man appears to be wearing a police uniform.

The parades are considered effective, Mr Fauzal said, as very little crime is recorded on the islands. He added that most of those paraded are locals, although some are foreign tourists who were drunk or "forced to steal purses" as they had run out of money.


Is it legal?

It is not clear whether there is any formal legal basis for the parades, but as the accused generally avoid more serious sanction, some observers have suggested that embarrassment and a ban from the islands is preferable to a court battle and the possibility of a fine or worse.

Oji Nuria Manggala, who witnessed the parade, told the BBC that the guards accompanying the foreigners said the pair had been caught on security camera stealing a bike, and could not deny it.

However, it has not been possible to identify them to confirm the accusations, nor is it clear if they were given any opportunity to mount any kind of defence.


And their rights?

The island's seemingly unsophisticated form of justice has shocked some with its deliberate lack of concern for the privacy of the accused or seemingly much in the way of clear legal process.

While locals the BBC spoke to did not share any doubts about the parade, others have suggested that even the innocent might be tempted to opt for public humiliation rather than face formal charges under the Indonesian justice system, which is sometimes criticised for corruption and a lack of transparency.


Indonesia justice: Foreign tourists in Gili island 'walk of shame' - BBC News

Is it legal? What about their rights? FFS.

If you go to a foreign country you have to accept their "foreign" ways.

Practical and pragmatic, otherwise it is a trip to Denapsar by boat to face a court who could not care less about you and days in jail waiting. Waste of time, justice needs to be seen to be done and locally.

Nice to see they caught these two and shamed them, pity their faces were pixellated.

I reckon the Idea of Public shaming is a good one.

These scum Australians pinching shit got of very easily.

Should do it here in Thailand.

It's not a good walk of shame if the media pixelate their faces.

How do you know they're Australian? Friends of yours?

^See photo caption in link.

They nicked a bicycle apparently.

I like that they made her string longer so they could still see her tits.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...nesian-streets

Backpacker scum.

I bet all the 'A' boards advertising magic mushrooms etc were put away before the parade in front of the cameras...

He's blushing like a c u n t but she doesn't seem remotely bothered.

Seems practical to me.

Originally Posted by VocalNeal

Is it legal? What about their rights? FFS.

If you go to a foreign country you have to accept their "foreign" ways.

Even if it's illegal in the foreign country?

Originally Posted by terry57

I reckon the Idea of Public shaming is a good one.

...alas, usually the the biggest theives of all have no shame, the list of politicians both in the SEAsian region, and beyond, is long, on that score.

Would make a great "Banged up abroad " Documentary

Better unpixellated, now I can see the bovine look of the Aussie backpacker with cap on backwards. he looks unwashed and smelly.

His fellow crim doesn't look much better, I would be worried about lice if i got too close to her.

Scum.

Originally Posted by BKKBanger

Scum.

Indonesia is full of them.

It could have been a motorcycle or scooter, the report in Bahasa says "sepeda".

yes Willy, lots of them and they carry on letting them in.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

I like that they made her string longer so they could still see her tits.

Good eye, harry...Looks like they could use a proofreader, though...

She certainly looks like she could do rather better.

Originally Posted by BKKBanger

It could have been a motorcycle or scooter, the report in Bahasa says "sepeda".

Which normally means bicycle, as they usually use motor for a motorcycle or scooter, no ?

Does it matter? They're fucking tealeaves regardless.

Originally Posted by kingwilly

Originally Posted by BKKBanger

It could have been a motorcycle or scooter, the report in Bahasa says "sepeda".

Which normally means bicycle, as they usually use motor for a motorcycle or scooter, no ?

I don't remember seeing any motorised vehicles on that island, rather a lot of pony and carts with very dangerous tack poles.