The Head of Balis Tourism Office, Cok Bagus Pemayun, has expressed concern over the use of an image of Lord Shiva as a backdrop for a DJ performance at a nightclub.
“This should serve as a lesson for business owners to be cautious with such experiments in Bali. Shiva is a sacred and highly significant symbol in Hinduism. Anyone doing business on the island must follow the rules and respect Balinese culture,” he stated.
Following the public outcry over the incident, Balis Acting Governor, Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, instructed his team and the police to investigate, contact the nightclub management, and demand an explanation. In response to the authorities request, the clubs owners visited the police station and officially apologized. Further details of the case are still being clarified.
Regarding possible sanctions, Pemayun stated that it is too early to determine specific consequences, as the investigation is still ongoing. However, there is a possibility that Atlas could receive a warning similar to the one issued to Finns Beach Club.
Previously, Finns Beach Club received an official reprimand after launching fireworks during a Balinese religious ritual.
Authorities in Bali are increasingly concerned that such instances of religious disrespect are becoming more frequent. The provincial government is now considering adding special clauses to business contracts and licensing agreements. These regulations, if implemented, would protect the islands cultural and religious values and outline penalties for violations.
For now, Atlas awaits potential sanctions, but the extent and severity remain uncertain. It is unclear whether the club will only receive a written warning or if the consequences will be more severe. There has been no confirmation yet on whether the case will be classified under Indonesias blasphemy law.
To prevent similar incidents in the future, authorities plan to educate nightlife and entertainment businesses about a simple yet critical rule: Do not misuse religious symbols, especially those from Hinduism.
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