Bali Governor Wayan Koster has announced that the central government will begin prioritizing infrastructure development in Bali starting in 2026, a move he described as both timely and encouraging, given the province’s vital role in Indonesia’s tourism sector.
Delivering his remarks during a plenary session at the Bali Provincial Parliament on Thursday, August 14, 2025, held in celebration of Bali Province’s 67th anniversary, Koster expressed his optimism about the future.
“We never asked for Bali to become a world-famous tourist destination it’s just how fate turned out. That’s why it’s only fair for the central government to pay attention to us,” Koster said as reported by Detik.com.
He recalled being invited as a speaker at a technical guidance event for the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle parliamentary factions, where he emphasized how Bali’s infrastructure lags behind other provinces. This, despite the fact that Bali contributes 44% of the country’s tourism foreign exchange earnings.
Balancing Bali’s Economy
The very next day, the head of Commission V of the House of Representatives summoned all relevant heads of public works agencies to begin prioritizing Bali’s infrastructure starting in 2026.
Koster also highlighted Bali’s significant contribution to international tourism in Indonesia, with the island accounting for 46 percent of total foreign tourist arrivals.
He estimated that Bali generated Rp107 trillion out of the Rp234 trillion national tourism foreign exchange revenue. He stressed that better infrastructure will help balance Bali’s economy, reducing its dependency on tourism alone.
“Going forward, we need to transform Bali’s economic structure to be more balanced between tourism and non-tourism sectors,” he stated.
In celebrating Bali’s 67th anniversary, Koster urged everyone to support the first year of implementation of the 100-Year Long-Term Development Plan for Bali’s Future, a vision set by Provincial Regulation No. 4 of 2023.
He insisted, “There’s no other option we must succeed.”
This long-term plan lays out the vision and direction for Bali’s development from 2025 to 2125. Koster emphasized that 2025 marks the first momentum for execution, forming a foundation for future success.
Comprehensive Holistic Approach
Speaking on the anniversary theme Amukti Bali Hita, or “Realizing Harmony in the Island of Bali”, Koster explained that this development plan will be implemented through a comprehensive and holistic approach within Bali’s “New Era”.
The vision aims to maintain the integrity of Bali’s nature, people, and culture, based on the local wisdom of Sad Kerthi the purification and honoring of six key sources of life and well-being.
The 6 main priority areas for future development are:
- Customs, religion, tradition, arts, culture, and local wisdom;
- Health, education, youth, sports, social security, and labor;
- Economic transformation through the Ekonomi Kerthi Bali concept;
- Land, sea, and air infrastructure with environmentally friendly transportation;
- Environment, forestry, and energy;
- Bali as a digital island with strengthened security.
Koster emphasized that development over the next five years will follow an integrated, structured, and island-wide approach, “one island, one pattern, one governance”.
Koster called on all Balinese, especially the younger generation, to actively participate and collaborate in realizing a prosperous and hopeful future for Bali. He also expressed gratitude to past leaders who had developed Bali since 1958.
One of the key achievements he highlighted was the ratification of Law No. 15 of 2023 concerning the Province of Bali, which formally recognizes the existence of desa adat (traditional villages), subak (irrigation system), Sad Kerthi, cultural heritage, and local wisdom as essential elements of Bali’s identity.
Sources: Detik.com, AntaraBali
Feat Image: via Jasa Marga Bali Tol