As of 20 of October, 2024, the new national government has settled into office.
Local government, however, is yet to be decided.
On 27 of November, 2024, nationwide local elections will take place for each of the 38 provinces to elect their local government. The province of Bali will hold their gubernatorial election to appoint the new Governor of Bali who will serve a term of 5 years.
This is an extremely important time for Bali, since the local government holds a lot of power to implement change in their province, and as Bali grows in both population and wealth, there will be many political movements made that will affect its residents.
The Candidate Pair: Koster-Giri
As the election draws closer, the candidates are picking up speed, especially Wayan Koster who has already served one term as Governor of Bali and is keen to serve a second.
Running alongside him is the current Regent of Badung, I Nyoman Giri Prasta, who he has said he will select as his deputy if he is elected.
4 Key Issues: Traffic, Waste, Water and Aesthetics of Denpasar
Over the weekend of 26 of October, 2024, the candidate pair Koster-Giri attended a gathering in Denpasar of 4000 people and spoke about the issues they are determined to resolve should they take office.
They have revealed 4 main issues that they say are the main concerns of residents, namely: traffic jams, garbage collection and cleanliness, clean water supply and the aesthetics of Denpasar City.
Anyone who lives in Bali and frequents more densely populated areas is aware of the traffic problems. Solutions Koster and Giri provide include improving infrastructure, and building a subway.
Koster has explained that “Regarding traffic congestion in Denpasar and Badung, we will build road infrastructure and also modern underground Metro, subway, mass rapid transit or Integrated Mass Transit (MRT) transportation gradually over the next five years.”
It has been reported that Bali’s MRT project has already begun. On 4 of September, 2024, a ceremony was conducted by the government of Bali and the main contractor in the Kuta Parking Lot which is said to be the location of the central station for the railway system.
However, it is unclear exactly when construction will start. The 4-phase project is said to be costing $20 billion.
It is unclear how they intend to tackle the waste issue, but it is plain that they are dedicated to tackling it once appointed. Koster said “The garbage problem must be resolved […].We are committed and promise to resolve this.”
Sidan Dam is the Future of Bali’s Water Supply
Clean water supply has been a major part of Koster’s work in his first term as Governor of Bali, and he has stated that his Sidan Dam project will be key in supplying clean water to the residents of Denpasar.
Giri has also said that residents need not fear since after the launch of Sidan Dam, water allocated to the area will be sufficient to meet all the needs of the inhabitants of Denpasar city.
He adds, “in the future after the inauguration of the Sidan Dam, at least Denpasar City will receive a water supply of 7,500 liters per second.”
The Fate of Bali’s Tourism Still to be Decided
Finally, Koster has said he is committed to the “beautification of Denpasar City as the leading face of Bali Island for world tourist visits.”
Beyond this, the candidates have yet to present detailed positions on Bali’s tourism sector.
On a national level, the new Minister for Tourism, Widiyanti Putri Wardhana, has expressed that she is keen to develop Indonesia’s tourism industry sustainably.
She has emphasised “I am optimistic that with a strong foundation and clear strategic steps, I am able to accelerate the growth of the tourism sector as a driving force for an inclusive, sustainable, and global economy. We can do it because Indonesia is a paradise on earth.”
In Bali, however, there have been promises of a freeze on tourism developments for up to 2 years, and yet no date has been announced. Reports say it is highly possible that such restrictions will be delayed as the new government finds its feet.
In the run-up to elections, it has been advised to tourists that they may see an increase in security at Bali Airport and other transport hubs.
It is standard procedure during election periods, and is applied to benefit tourists, residents, businesses and the landscape.
