An influencer reportedly faces deportation from Bali after she decided to pose nude against a sacred tree.
On Tuesday (April 11), Balinese activist and entrepreneur Ni Luh Djelantik called on authorities to intervene after a woman, whose identity has not yet been confirmed, took nude photos against a sacred kayu putih (weeping paperbark) tree in Tabanan, the Daily Mail reports.
According to The Travel Author, the tree is over 700 years old and approximately 164 foot tall, making it one of the most ancient trees in the entire area.
So with it being such a sacred site, you would assume that tourists would educate themselves on its importance before posing naked next to it, right? But it seems as though this unnamed woman didn't get the memo.
While the original post was deleted from her Instagram account, Djelantik reposted the series of photos in the hopes that local authorities would do something about the influencer disrespecting Indonesian culture.
The snapshots show a woman standing naked while leaning against the tree, her bare chest pressed up against the bark.
Alongside the plea, the Bali local also stressed: "TO ALL FOREIGNER[S] WHO DISRESPECT OUR LAND, BALI IS OUR HOME, NOT YOURS" before going on to add: "Do you think you’ll look cool taking naked picture on our holy trees? Go back to your country if you can’t respect our tradition[s] and culture!"
As per Coconuts Bali, the woman has now been arrested and faces deportation for her actions, though no official statement has been released on the matter as of yet.
The news comes shortly after another woman from Russia, Alina Fazleeva, saw similar consequences after she also posed nude photos with the scared tree.
As per News.com.au, the incident made international headlines last year and following public backlash, Fazleeva deleted the images and posted an apology video, which showed her fully clothed and praying at the base of the tree while speaking of her regret.
However, Fazleeva and her husband were later deported, with Bali immigration chief Jamaruli Manihuruk slamming the pair for endangering public order.
"They have carried out activities that endangered public order and were disrespectful to the local norms, so they are sanctioned with deportation," he said at a press conference at the time.
This is not the first time we've heard about apparently disrespectful behavior by tourists visiting the area.
Last month, it was reported that Russian tourist going by the name of Yuri faced deportation after he took an inappropriate nude photo while standing on top of Mount Agung.
The active volcano range situated in Bali, southeast of Mount Batur volcano also located in the same region, is an important area for the Balinese people as it is believed to be home to Mahadewa, the supreme manifestation of Lord Shiva, considered by many as the most superior of all Gods.
Posting to Instagram, Yuri snapped a photo in which he was nude from the waist down while standing on the site.
Not only did Yuri act out in such a manner, but he was also part of a group of other tourists who decided to climb the mountain without registering first - a direct violation of the rules.
Following intense backlash for his actions, the tourist also released a public apology expressing his regret about his decision.
Alongside the video, he also wrote in the caption: "I want to apologise for my actions that desecrated the sacred volcano for the local population. There is no excuse for my actions. The only thing that led to what happened was my personal ignorance. Ignorance of the peculiarities of the local religion.
"I am very sorry that this happened," he concluded.
