Bali Governor I Wayan Koster, accompanied by Badung Regent I Wayan Adi Arnawa, personally led the demolition of 48 illegal business establishments at Bingin Beach, located in Pecatu Village, South Kuta District, Badung Regency, Bali, on Monday (July 21).
The operation involved personnel from the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), the military, and the police.
The buildings consisting of villas, hotels, homestays, restaurants, and other tourism facilities were constructed without proper permits on land owned by the Badung Regency Government.
The area is also designated as a green zone, where construction is strictly prohibited.
“This land belongs to the Badung government and is listed as a public asset. No one has the right to use it without permission. This is a violation,” Koster stated during the operation.
He emphasized that the demolition followed proper legal procedures, including multiple warning letters and recommendations from the Bali Provincial Parliament.
Affected residents were not compensated, as the buildings were erected illegally and violated spatial regulations.
Public Protests and Opposition
According to Kumparan, The demolition sparked strong opposition from local residents and workers. Many held banners reading “Save Bingin” and “We Reject the Demolition of Bingin Beach Businesses.”
Workers expressed concern about losing their jobs and questioned how they would support their families.
Community figure Sujastra criticized the government’s actions as being too hasty and suggested a grace period of at least five years so that residents could recoup their investments.
He also raised suspicions that the cleared land might be handed over to large investors, which could marginalize the local community.
Land Dispute and Legal Challenge
Alex Barung of ABL Law Office, representing Bingin Beach residents, argued that the demolition was premature and ignored the ongoing legal process at the Denpasar State Administrative Court (PTUN).
A lawsuit had been filed requesting a postponement of the demolition until a final verdict is issued.
Residents asserted that economic activities in the Bingin area had existed for generations, long before zoning laws were enacted.
Tourism-related businesses began to grow in the 1980s, with some receiving financial support through partnerships with foreign nationals. In 2021, the local customary village applied for management rights over Bingin Beach to the Badung government.
Violations of Multiple Regulations
The government and Bali’s Regional House of Representatives stated that the buildings violated several national and regional regulations, including:
- Government Regulation (PP) No. 8 of 1953 and PP No. 18 of 2021 on State Land Control
- Law No. 26 of 2007 on Spatial Planning
- Law No. 27 of 2007 on Coastal and Small Islands Management
- Law No. 32 of 2009 on Environmental Protection and Management
- Presidential Regulation No. 51 of 2016 on Coastal Boundaries
- Bali Provincial Regulations No. 2 and 4 of 2023 on Spatial Planning and the 100-Year Development Vision for Bali
Governor Koster affirmed that the enforcement is necessary to protect Bali’s environment and spatial integrity.
“If we allow these practices to continue, Bali will be damaged. We cannot educate the public by tolerating violations,” he concluded.
Source: Kumparan, CNN Indonesia
Feat Image: via Badung Regency Regional Secretary