The Bali provincial government plans to draft a regional regulation (Perda) prohibiting hotels, villas, and tourist destinations from controlling beaches and restricting local residents’ access.
Bali Governor I Wayan Koster said many hotels, villas, and beach clubs have long limited local access to beaches and nearby waters, despite these areas being designated as public spaces.
“Recently in Serangan, the floating sea barrier was removed to allow fishermen to operate again. Tourism businesses there have not purchased the beach, only the land. So they should not oversee areas beyond their jurisdiction,” Koster said on Wednesday, 5 March.
Koster highlighted a recent case in the Special Economic Zone (KEK) Kura-Kura Serangan, where a floating barrier installed by management prevented fishermen from working in the area. He emphasized that investors should not be allowed to take control of beaches for any reason.
Koster stated that unilateral control of beaches by investors is detrimental to Bali’s future. He stressed the need for a binding Perda that would regulate investor actions and impose sanctions for violations.
