An Australian yoga teacher who organised a retreat in Bali has been deported from the country and banned from re-entering Indonesia.
Peter Radcliffe, 55, from Perth, had organised a seven-day ‘Inner Growth’ event at the luxurious Villa Boreh in the region of Buleleng, on the north side of the island.
The retreat, which was due to run from July 27 to August 2, is described as helping customers be ’empowered to reach out and achieve a fulfilling life for yourself, and experience lasting tranquility’.
However, Mr Radcliffe, who was listed as meditation instructor, was arrested by authorities.
Officials said he had entered Indonesia using a Visa on Arrival (VOA), which is intended solely for tourist use, not for work.
As a result, the immigration office ruled the arrangement illegal, as Mr Radcliffe had entered the country on a permit that could not be used for work.
They said the VOA visa was valid until August 24, running until after the retreat was scheduled to take place.
Mr Radcliffe was deported from Bali back to Perth, and he has also been banned from re-entering Indonesia.
Perth man Peter Radcliffe has been deported and banned from returning to Indonesia
Mr Radcliffe has been deported for an illegal yoga retreat
Immigration services in Bali said that foreigners must ‘comply’ or ‘leave’
The Daily Mail has contacted Mr Radcliffe and Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for comment.
Mr Radcliffe describes himself as a life coach and meditation teacher on his website.
Claiming to be a former monk, he is named as the ‘father and founder’ of Skillful MIND, the organiser of the retreats.
The description on the website says Mr Radcliffe has ‘travelled the world experiencing meditation in many forms’.
‘For a long time now I’ve taught some people the art of stillness through meditation and others the art of mind mastery,’ a statement on the event webpage says.
‘But for me, the most transforming effect is when you are able to combine these two art forms; to be effective in what you do and operate from a state of enjoyment in the present moment.’
Following Mr Radcliffe’s arrest, Balinese immigration authorities said the case demonstrates their zero-tolerance approach to foreign nationals who violate immigration laws.
‘We will continue to strengthen supervision of foreign nationals as part of our commitment to enforcing immigration law,’ Head of the Singaraja Immigration Office, Anak Agung Gde Kusuma Putra, said.
A former monk, Mr Radcliffe’s website offered retreats and life coaching services in Bali
The ‘7 Day Inner Growth,’ retreat was scheduled to take place at a villa in Buleleng, Bali (pictured)
‘Every foreign national is required to use a visa and stay permit that correspond to the purpose of their visit.
‘Any violation will be dealt with in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations.’
It is understood Indonesia’s Director General of Immigration has instructed all offices to enforce the law firmly and without compromise.
Indonesian Immigration has welcomed ‘quality foreign tourists and investors’, the director general said, but those who disregard the law must either comply with the applicable regulations or leave the country immediately.
