Bali Governor Candidates Outline Big Plans For Island As Elections Loom

Share The Article

Indonesia swore in a new government last week, and this week, candidates seeking to become Bali’s next governor are hitting the campaign trail hard.

Wayan Koster, who has already served a term as governor, is one of the main candidates for the governor’s elections on November 27th. 

If successful, Wayan Koster will take up a second and final term as Bali Governor; if elected, he will appoint the current Regent of Badung, I Nyoman Giri Prasta, as his deputy.

Over the weekend, Koster held a series of big campaign events and spoke of his commitments for the term ahead should he be re-elected into the post. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KOSTER GIRI (@koster.giri)

The key topics of conservation were that of clean water, management, traffic congestion, and the aesthetics of Denpasar City.

Koster spoke about the importance of keeping the Sidan Dam project on track.

The development is set to be a key supplier of clean water for residents and tourism resorts in Gianyar Regency, Badung Regency, and Bangli Regency.

Pressure on clean water sources in Badung Regency is of huge concern, especially since the region is home to the island’s biggest and busiest tourism resorts, including Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Kuta, and Legian.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Giri Prasta (@giri.prasta)

Koster told his campaign trail audience of 4,000 Denpasar residents, “Koster-Giri’s big task in Bali, especially the capital city of Denpasar, is first to resolve traffic jams, garbage, water, and the beauty of the city’s layout. [They] have designed all [modern infrastructure and transportation] in synergy with the Denpasar City program, regarding traffic jams, garbage, water, and beautiful city layout.”

He added, “Regarding traffic congestion in Denpasar and Badung, we will build road infrastructure and modern underground Metro, subway, Integrated Mass Transit (MRT) transportation gradually over the next five years.”

However, the first stone has already been laid for the MRT system, with leaders noting at the time of the ceremony that work would begin right away, yet just weeks later, updates were shared outlining how the project is still very much in the planning phase. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The House Bali 💎 (@thehouserealty)

Koster spoke to one of Bali’s biggest issues, waste management, an issue that he’d addressed during his last term as governor.

Speaking with reference to his choice of candidates for Mayor of Denpasar as IGN Jaya Negara, with a deputy in Made Agus Wibawa, Koster explained, “The garbage problem must be resolved; how come Koster-Giri and Jaya-Wibawa are unable to resolve the garbage problem in Denpasar City. We are committed and promise to resolve this.”

He added, “We will resolve traffic jams within five years by building road infrastructure and modern transportation that has been designed.”

“Regarding clean water, there is already the Sidan Dam and then the beautification of Denpasar City as the leading face of Bali Island for world tourist visits.”

The current Regent of Badung Regency, Koster’s candidate for Deputy Governor of Bali, Nyoman Giri Prasta, visited Klungkung Regency, spoke to local voters about his commitment to leveling up local fracture for the betterment of local communities, including investing in education and building new hospitals.

He told the audience, “In Klungkung, Koster-Giri will add two primary hospitals, namely in Banjarangkan and Dawan; this is to bring qualified health services closer to the community in addition to the large hospitals in Klungkung, whose status will also be raised.”

As for the state of tourism and the governorship elections, the topic has not yet been widely discussed. But with a month to go before polls open, we can expect all governor candidates to touch on the subject. 

In the run-up to the vote, tourists may see increased security at Bali Airport and at key transport hubs such as Sanur Port, Padangbai Harbour, and Gilimanuk Harbour.

This is standard protocol around times of political campaigning and change and is in place to keep both local communities and tourists safe.