Commission I of the Bali Regional People’s Representative Council has recommended the closure and dismantling of 45 business establishments operating along Bingin Beach, South Kuta.
This decision was reached following a meeting on June 10, 2025, attended by Commission I members, the Civil Service Police Unit, the Public Works and Public Housing Agency, and other relevant authorities.
The meeting was part of an ongoing effort to enforce regulations against unauthorized businesses, following multiple enforcement actions by the Bali Civil Service Police Unit.
These measures included surprise inspections, formal summonses for business owners, and instances where officials escorted entrepreneurs to the site after they failed to respond to requests for clarification.
Unauthorized Use of State-Owned Land
Initial monitoring by the Bali Civil Service Police Unit revealed that several tourism-related businesses—including lodging and restaurants—had been established on Bingin Beach without proper authorization.
Field inspections further confirmed that many of these establishments were operating on protected cliffs without official permits, engaging in unauthorized land use, and lacking the necessary operational licenses required for tourism enterprises.
Head of the Bali Civil Service Police Unit, Dewa Nyoman Rai Dharmadi, stated that business owners have expressed no objections to the enforcement measures.
“The business actors themselves acknowledge that they have been using state land without permission,” Dharmadi explained. “Because they lack the necessary permits, they are unable to pay taxes.” he continued.
Violations and Foreign Ownership
Authorities also uncovered additional violations beyond unauthorized land use. Concerns were raised over improper liquid waste management, which relies solely on septic tanks, and the mishandling of hazardous waste due to the absence of designated storage facilities.
Furthermore, officials noted the lack of an emergency response system, posing significant risks in the event of a disaster.
The decision was made to dismantle and shut down all illegal operations on Bingin Beach while launching a legal investigation into potential criminal activities and foreign business ownership.
“Two cases involve suspected foreign nationals—one has been confirmed, while the other is still under investigation,” Dharmadi stated, as quoted by AntaraNews. “One case involves nominees with administrative agreements between two parties, while the other is clearly owned by a foreign national. So far, these individuals have been conducting business activities on land that does not belong to them.” he concluded.
This finding stems from their initiative to investigate areas suspected of violating permits, whether related to spatial planning or land rights, due to their location right on the coastline.
The existence of illegal villas and homestays in the Bingin Beach area, South Kuta, has also contributed to the decline in occupancy rates of starred hotels in Bali, even though the number of tourists visiting has increased.
Sources: AntaraNews, WartaBaliOnline, PosBali
Feat Image: via ForeverVacation