BALI – Bali Police Chief Inspector General Pasma Royce has reaffirmed the Bali Regional Police’s commitment to combating illegal drugs and gambling, stressing that law enforcement against gambling must remain firm while activities connected to Balinese customs and religious rituals, including tajen and tabuh rah, require careful consideration of their legal, cultural, and traditional contexts.
He explained that addressing activities associated with local traditions requires coordination between the police, regional government, and traditional community leaders. Such cooperation is important to ensure that Indonesian law is enforced while taking into account the cultural and customary practices of Balinese society.
According to Pasma, the cultural, customary, and ritual dimensions of an activity must be examined comprehensively before determining the appropriate legal response. He emphasized the importance of involving relevant stakeholders in Bali when dealing with issues that intersect with local traditions.
Bali Police Chief Reaffirms Commitment to Fighting Drugs
Pasma made the statement during an anti-drug campaign initiated by Indonesian House of Representatives Commission III member I Nyoman Parta in collaboration with Balinese artists. The event took place at Wantilan Jaba Pura Dalem Guwang, Sukawati, Gianyar, on Saturday evening, October 24, 2026.
The campaign featured the launch of three songs highlighting the dangers of drug abuse: Ejohin Narkoba, Lingkar Derita, and Iblis Berjubah Dewa.
Lolot Band, local artists, and members of the surrounding community also participated in the event, which used music and creative expression to communicate anti-drug messages to the public, particularly younger generations.
The initiative reflects an effort to strengthen public awareness of the dangers of narcotics through a cultural approach that is accessible to the community.
Gambling Enforcement Must Consider Balinese Customs
Beyond the anti-drug campaign, Pasma’s remarks highlighted the Bali Regional Police’s position on gambling enforcement, including activities associated with tajen and tabuh rah.
Tajen generally refers to cockfighting associated with betting, while tabuh rah is a ritual blood-offering practice connected to certain Balinese Hindu ceremonies. Although the two may involve cockfighting, their purposes and contexts are not necessarily the same.
Pasma stressed that gambling would not be tolerated. However, activities linked to Balinese customs and religious rituals must be assessed by considering the applicable laws and the circumstances in which they take place.
Coordination with local government officials and traditional leaders is therefore considered essential to addressing potential legal issues without overlooking the social and cultural context of Balinese communities.
The Bali Regional Police’s position highlights two parallel priorities: strengthening efforts to combat narcotics and maintaining firm action against gambling, while ensuring that issues involving customary and religious practices are examined within the framework of Indonesian law.
Through cooperation between law enforcement agencies, local government, and traditional community leaders, Bali is expected to address these challenges while respecting the island’s distinctive cultural and social characteristics.
