Indonesia protests flag incident involving porn star Bonnie Blue outside London embassy

INDONESIA: Indonesia has filed a formal complaint with British authorities following a provocative act involving its national flag staged outside the Indonesian Embassy in London, the foreign ministry confirmed on Wednesday.

The incident, which circulated widely on social media, occurred on 15 December and involved British adult film actress Tia Emma Billinger, who is professionally known as Bonnie Blue.

According to a statement from the Foreign Ministry, the Indonesian Embassy in London formally reported the incident to the British Foreign Office and local police, requesting appropriate follow-up action under applicable laws and procedures.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Yvonne Mewengkang said the complaint reflected Indonesia’s serious concern over the treatment of its national symbol during the incident.

“The Indonesian Embassy in London has filed a formal complaint to the British authorities, including the Foreign Office and local police, requesting follow-up actions in accordance with prevailing laws and procedures,” she said.

Mewengkang added that Indonesia deeply regretted the incident, stressing that the Red-and-White flag represented the country’s sovereignty and honour and must be respected at all times.

Footage that circulated online showed Billinger walking at night outside the Indonesian Embassy with Indonesia’s national flag attached to her clothing and dragging along the pavement.

In the video, she appeared to be accompanied by several masked men who were seen cheering and recording the scene, while the flag trailed on the ground behind her.

Billinger was also heard making mocking remarks in the footage, including a comment suggesting she had come to the embassy to pay a fine of £8.50.

She further referred to her earlier experiences in Bali, stating she had been accused by Indonesian authorities of not respecting local culture during her stay.

Mewengkang emphasised that freedom of expression should not be misused to justify actions that insult national symbols or undermine mutual respect between countries.

She said such acts could harm diplomatic relations and risk inflaming unnecessary tensions if left unchecked.

The spokesperson also urged the public, particularly social media users, not to be provoked by viral content that could exacerbate emotions or distort the broader diplomatic context.

The London incident followed Billinger’s deportation from Indonesia earlier in December after a series of legal issues during her stay in Bali.

She was barred from re-entering Indonesia for 10 years, according to immigration authorities, citing violations of visa conditions and conduct deemed inconsistent with local norms.

On 4 December, police in Badung arrested Billinger along with several other foreign nationals at a studio in Pererenan on suspicion of producing pornographic content.

Investigators later stated that no pornography law violations were established, as the videos in question were considered private and not intended for public distribution.

However, authorities proceeded to charge the group with traffic-related offences after discovering they had travelled around Bali in an open-bed truck bearing the sign “BONNIE BLUE’S BANGBUS”.

Police said the vehicle posed safety risks and violated road traffic regulations, leading to further legal action.

On 12 December, the Denpasar District Court found Billinger and one other defendant guilty of breaching Indonesia’s road traffic laws.

The court imposed fines during a minor criminal offence hearing, concluding the judicial process related to the traffic violations.

Despite the relatively minor nature of the court ruling, immigration authorities took additional administrative measures against the group.

Acting Director General of Immigration Yuldi Yusman said Billinger and her associates had entered Indonesia using visitor visas but subsequently engaged in activities considered commercial in nature.

“Therefore, we are imposing a 10-year ban because these activities are inconsistent with the government’s efforts to maintain Bali’s quality tourism image and respect local cultural values,” Yusman said in a statement issued on 22 December.

Indonesian officials have since reiterated that the deportation and ban were administrative decisions based on immigration regulations rather than moral judgement.

Separately, Indonesian lawmaker Oleh Soleh from parliament’s Commission I welcomed the embassy’s decision to report the incident, saying alleged disrespect toward national symbols should not be treated lightly.

“Symbols of the state represent national dignity and sovereignty and must be respected by anyone,” he said, calling for the case to be pursued through legal and diplomatic channels in accordance with British law.

The Foreign Ministry has not indicated whether it is seeking specific legal penalties against Billinger in the United Kingdom, but stressed that respect for national symbols is a fundamental principle in international relations.

British authorities have yet to publicly comment on the complaint or confirm what steps, if any, will be taken following the embassy’s report.