Indonesia — Netizens were outraged at a series of viral videos depicting two Czech tourists desecrating a sacred temple in Bali.
Sabina Dolezalova and Zdenek Slouka, self-proclaimed fitness models, posted an Instagram video of their vacation in Bali, Indonesia.
One of their videos showed the couple frolicking in the woods that locals revere as sacred temple grounds.
In the video, Dolezalova bent over and pulled up her skirt as Slouka splashed water from the temple fountain on Dolezalova’s exposed buttocks.
The couple committed what they thought was a harmless, playful act in the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud.
Indonesian netizens were shocked by the behaviour and infuriated at the couple. Some netizens alerted the Bali Immigration Agency to detain the two foreigners until they take responsibility for their deplorable actions.
Senator Arya Wedakarna of Bali stated in a post that he plans to summon the couple soon.
Because of the criticism and vitriol they received from Indonesian netizens, the couple expressed their apologies through their Instagram accounts.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1AYpKUnGsC/
Slouka apologised about the video and admitted how they “dishonored the holy temple and holy water in Ubud.” He said he did not know the grounds were sacred to locals.
Dolezalova supported her partner and said they “had no idea about the holy water or … holy temple” and added that they “really didn’t want to do anything bad.”
“We are truly sorry and we hope you are going to forgive us. Now, we are just finding out what we can do to fix it,” she added.
In a message sent to Balinese designer Niluh Djelantik, the couple explained that they cannot distinguish which places were holy because they are atheists.
Their “apology” further infuriated Indonesians, saying the apology was insincere and that the couple’s atheism does not excuse their bad behaviour or ignorance.
As of posting, the couple have set their accounts to private.
On Sunday (Aug 8), the two foreigners were ordered to apologise in front of the Bali police for their controversial and insensitive actions./TISG
https://www.instagram.com/p/B1C64ICJO9p/