Green Flow Villa/ The swimming pool at Green Flow Villa offers a direct view of the rice fields
The Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) of Gianyar Regency has officially sealed the Green Flow Villa complex located on Jalan Raya Sayan, Ubud. The sealing action was carried out on June 23, 2025, following allegations of illegal conversion of agricultural land into a luxury villa compound.
Felix Demin, a 34-year-old Russian national, is identified as the owner of the property. The villa complex comprises 20 separate building blocks positioned near the eastern and southern boundaries of Pura Masceti Sayan.
“Buildings 1 and 2 are in the tourism zone, but the radius is too close to the holy area. If buildings 3, 4, 5 are in the LP2B zone (sustainable food agricultural land). This is what was violated,” explained Arianta when met in her office, Wednesday (16/7/2025).
Warnings Issued Prior to Sealing
Acting Head of the Gianyar Satpol PP and Fire Department, I Made Arianta, confirmed that the agency had taken progressive action prior to sealing the property. According to Arianta, the villa operators had received multiple warnings, advisories, and guidance since 2024 before enforcement measures were taken.
Authorities also found that the business entity linked to the villa, operating under the name PT Bali Investments, lacks the required permits. Arianta explained that the absence of permits is due to restrictions imposed by local regulations, specifically Gianyar Regional Regulation No. 1 of 2020 on the Protection of Sustainable Agricultural Land and Gianyar Regional Regulation No. 2 of 2023 on Spatial Planning.
“He does not have a building permit because it does not meet the radius of the sanctity of the temple, it should be 25 meters. As soon as it is indicated in 2024, we immediately pay attention. At that time, the building was not finished as it is now. They are stubborn because there are still silent building activities after the notification of the termination and the installation of warning billboards as administrative sanctions,” continued Arianta.
Subject to Criminal Investigation
In addition to administrative violations, Felix Demin is currently the subject of a criminal investigation. The Special Criminal Investigation Directorate (Ditreskrimsus) of Bali Regional Police is handling the case, and police tape has been placed around buildings numbered 3, 4, and 5 within the Green Flow Villa complex.
“On February 14, 2025, an alleged transfer of agricultural land was found at the location. The construction was carried out by Green Flow Villa which is located in the Food Crops Sub-Zone in the form of LP2B and LSD so that a police line was given to secure the status quo during the investigation,” said the Head of Public Relations of the Bali Police, Kombes Ariasandhy when contacted.
Initial Agreement with Local Temple Managers
The land development began with an agreement in September 2020 between Felix Demin and a group of pekaseh, who manage Pura Masceti Sayan. The agreement involved shared use of the temple’s access road. However, local pekaseh leader I Gusti Ngurah Gede stated that the area developed and its use did not align with the original terms of the agreement.
Although Demin claimed the buildings were intended for personal use, the villa reportedly became operational sometime between 2020 and 2021.
“At first, according to the management’s information, Green Flow only contracted a little to the east of the temple. Only 6 acres to build a private house. Therefore, we give you the right to use it. It turns out that there are many villas as far as the south. We are among those who feel deceived,” said Ngurah Gede.
Dispute Settled Through Mediation
Following a failed legal challenge, both parties resolved the dispute through mediation facilitated by the Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI) councils in Gianyar and Denpasar on April 30, 2024. The resolution included a series of commitments from Demin.
These responsibilities involved recurring donations of 150 kilograms of rice and 150 kilograms of pork during temple ceremonies (piodalan), as well as regular contributions toward electricity and water for Pura Masceti Sayan. Other agreed-upon obligations included the restoration of the temple’s pavilion (wantilan), boundary walls (penyengker) at both Pura Masceti and Pura Beji, and a monthly donation of Rp 100,000 per villa unit.
“The only thing that runs is punia piodalan. It has only been given twice, only one year. The temple piodalan is also held twice a year. Maybe it will be delayed because now it is problematic until it is sealed,” said the 74-year-old man when interviewed at his residence.
