Bali Leaders Confirm Heavy Machinery Will Be Bought In For Demolitions At Bingin Beach

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The Bali Provincial Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) has announced that heavy machinery will be deployed on the cliffs of Uluwatu’s Bingin Beach as demolition work in the area continues.

Demolition work began on July 21st as the government started removing buildings reported to be in violation of spatial planning laws and encroaching on state-owned land. 

Earlier this week, the Chief of the Badung Satpol PP, Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara, suggested that heavy machinery would not be deployed on the cliffside of Bingin Beach in the immediate future.

He told reporters that the aim of the initial demotion efforts was focused on “disabling vital facilities, which will certainly impact operations. Only then can everything be leveled.”

On Tuesday afternoon, he told reporters that the situation was changing and that plans were being explored to bring in heavy demolition equipment to the beachside. He told the media, “This also depends on the operator’s courage to execute the project in the field. We are still exploring the possibility of borrowing land to allow access for this heavy equipment.”

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On Friday, July 25th, Suryanegara told reporters that the initial demolition work on iconic Bingin Beach tourist hangouts, including Kelly’s Warung, is nearly complete. With the end of the initial demotion in sight, leaders are now working to expedite the arrival of heavy machinery. This news comes as the Bingin Beach community is still involved in legal proceedings to appeal the demolition orders. 

He told reporters, “We can’t completely demolish the buildings [right now]. So, currently, we’re only demolishing the business facilities, which can’t be used to continue the business. We’re taking down windows, stairs, doors, and other things first.”

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He added, “Then, in the next few days, we’ll deploy heavy equipment to help expedite the demolition.” Noting, “Actually, there are buildings still under construction, some are finished, and some are even abandoned. But all of them are in violation.”

The Bali Provincial Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) has assured ‘firm and fair action’ against unlicensed tourist establishments. Head of the Bali Satpol PP, Dewa Nyoman Rai Dharmadi, issued statements in response to public concerns that the Bali Provincial Government is discriminating against tourism businesses owned by local residents and major investors.

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He told the media, “We’re not anti-investors. In fact, we want our business activities to be fully compliant with the law and contribute to regional revenue. Imagine those with permits paying taxes, while those without permits don’t.” 

He clarified that neither the Satpol PP nor the Bali Provincial Government has a specific sentiment against businesses, either local or large investors, in the case of Bingin Beach. He reiterated that the businesses facing demolition had been found to have violated land use permits. Bali’s Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) discovered that the land used on the cliffs and coastline was protected state land that the district could manage.

Since, in the eyes of the law and the current government, there should be no buildings there, the Bali Provincial Government says that its agencies invited the businesses to clarify and confirmed that they were illegal, meaning they were leaking regional revenue due to their failure to pay taxes.

Dharmadi told reporters that investors who wish to use the land should cooperate with the district government through leases, which would generate revenue for the regional treasury.

He concluded, “Even that is limited through an assessment process by the district team. If it relates to local protected land, it’s already clear (totally prohibited) because it’s a fortress or cliff area that cannot be explored.”

The community of Bingin Beach and Bali lovers around the world have been left in shock and devastation at the demolition orders.

Over the last few days, the community has been rallying together to collect petitions against further demolition work and to remove as many valuable and personal belongings from each business premise as possible. Since there is limited road access to Bingin Beach, almost everything needs to be carried up the stairs on foot. 

The situation has hit international headlines with Bali lovers sharing their support for all those who have lost their jobs at Bingin Beach and their businesses as a result of the demolition orders issued to more than 45 premises. 

Foreigners in Bali, including expats, digital nomads, and long-staying tourists, are encouraged to find peaceful ways to support the communities impacted by the demolitions.

As explained in a post shared by Uluwatu Community and Save Bingin Beach, one community organiser wrote, “Foreigners are just foreigners and not part of the community and can get in serious trouble for going against the government.”

Adding “We need to let locals do their thing and gather and stand together, but having foreigners get involved is only going to make the situation much worse.”