Wijaya told police he had reprimanded the Australian and asked him to leave the bar after Johnston threw bottles, urinated on the road next to his stall, or warung, and allegedly also showed his genitals to other guests.

According to a police statement, the venue owner said he was then physically set upon by Johnston and “lost control”.

“The perpetrator then picked up the bar stool and hit the victim in the head. He (Johnston) then fell not far from the warung,” police chief Pamungkas said. “The perpetrator is being charged with article 338, intentionally causing the loss of lives of others or murder that carries a maximum of 15 years of prison time.”

Arrested at his home in the hours after the incident, police say Wijaya admitted he had struck the Perth man, but told police he had not intended to harm or kill him, and claimed he was defending himself.

Wijaya told officers when they picked him up that he knew that Johnston had died.

“I’m very sorry, I regret it,” Wijaya told reporters at the press conference on Friday. “I knew him well. There was no intention of me whatsoever [to hurt him].”

Johnston had been holidaying in Bali with his wife and their young son.

Johnston had worked for mining company Rio Tinto in Perth. The company released a statement following Johnston’s death.

“We are devastated by the news that one of our much loved and valued team members has tragically passed away overseas,” Rio Tinto.

“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Troy’s family and friends, and we are providing them all the support we can during this very difficult time.”