Every single running event blocks public roads. According to the organizers, they had authorisation. So if that was the case, then that's a non-issue.
I haven't seen anything regarding offensive racist remarks, or shouting at locals. Surely, this would be the bigger headline.
I'm not defending the organizers, but this feels like public hysteria, as usual. But even worse, is the general hypocrisy and racism going around. So many are jumping on the band-wagon and throwing disgusting racist remarks at tourists and other foreigners.
And then the reactionism from the immigration department, taking the high horse over enforcing legality, calling this "a state within a state". Oh please! All these visa violations have been helped by corrupt officials within the immigration department itself, some of them arrested not long ago for huge corruption and extortion scandals that had been going on for years, out in the open, because everybody knows what's going on with agents and calo.
All these people with pitch forks and so on should probably look inward first at their own problems.
And lastly, there are a million clubs in Indonesia for everything! Every single car and motorbike model (not just car brand) has their own club and community. Should I make a big deal when I can't join the Avanza Veloz Community with my Citroen C3 Aircross? And don't get me started on clubs and communities based on religion and ethnicity. It's just how clubs and communities work! If they want to accept outsiders, fine. If they don't fine as well!
Rant over.
