T

he increasing crime rate in Bali could affect the island's tourism industry, with 10,430 cases reported in 2009, a 22.49 percent rise compared to the 8,090 cases in 2008, Bali Police chief Insp. Gen Sutisna told reporters on Tuesday.

He said a tourism boom may have led to the increased crime rate.

Bali saw an increase in criminal cases such as murder, drugs, rape, robbery and petty crimes, he said.

Criminal cases involving foreigners also increased.

In late 2009, Bali was rocked by the murders of two Japanese tourists. In September, Rika Sano was found dead in Kuta tourist resort. Three months later in December, another Japanese woman was killed in her boarding room, also in Kuta.

"In the last three years, there has been a tendency *for criminals* to target foreign visitors and expatriates staying in Bali," Sutisna told members of the Bali Legislative Council.

Data from the Bali Tourism office showed the number of foreign visitors increased from 1.9 million in 2008 to 2.2 million in 2009.

Sutisna predicted the island's crime rate would likely increase in line with the rapid growth of the tourism industry and the regional elections in May.

"Transnational crime such as bank fraud, terrorism, drug and human trafficking may highlight the island's crime scene this year due to the tourism boom."

Bali was hit by two terrorist bomb blasts in Oct. 2002 and Oct. 2005. The island is also notorious as a transit for drug traffickers and other transnational crimes including international bank fraud syndicates.

Last month, a number of Iranians were caught trafficking drugs via Bali targeting users in Jakarta.

A spate of ATM fraud involving foreign citizens also hit the island.

Local legislator Made Arjaya insisted authorities improve security to ensure the safety of both local and foreign visitors, as well as residents.

"What is happening in Bali? We saw an increase in the number of crimes against foreigners. Do we have good security?" Arjaya asked the police chief.

He said security was an important issue in Bali and that the administration and police were responsible for protecting residents and visitors.

"Security issues are major concern for many countries. Security problems could lead to travel warnings, preventing foreigners from visiting Bali," he said.

Sutisna also warned people of possible conflict in May's regional elections.

"The election may spark conflict among the candidates' followers," he said, adding that Bali Police would deploy 3,500 personnel to safeguard the elections.