Leaders in Bali’s Uluwatu are proposing that 45 hotels, private villas, and guesthouses in the Bingin Beach resort area be demolished after it was discovered that they were constructed illegally.
A group of Bali Senators has issued the provincial government with an ultimatum to demolish Step Up Hotel and 45 other illegal buildings in the Bingin Beach area.
The other buildings include villas, homestays, restaurants, and other tourist facilities suspected of violating various laws and regulations, ranging from spatial layout rules to indications of encroachment into state land.
Bingin Beach is one of Uluwatu’s most famous tourist hangout spots, and over the last five years, it has undergone a rapid period of development and transformation.
Speaking to reporters following a government meeting, attended by representatives from the buildings in question, the Chairman of the Commission I DPRD Bali, Nyoman Budiutama confirmed that the call for demolishing is based on evidence that all 46 sides of the buildings has been found to be violating administrative rules and/or spatial planning agreements.
Budiutama explained “The demolition is officially administrative. Because they violated the rules, we recommend it to law enforcement. The plan is that we will ask for them to be dismantled.
Budiutama confirmed “We will coordinate first because the dismantling requires the cost of heat equipment and the terrain is also harsh. So there needs to be coordination with the executives to carry out the demolitions recommendation from the Bali DPRD.”
He added that the government will give building owners the chance to do ‘self-demolition’ but that if orders are not fulfilled, the Bali Government will take over and coordinate the demolition of the buildings.
Budiutama noted that the calls for demolition are all part of a bigger effort to showcase the best of Bali’s tourism and preserve the culture of the Bingin area and Bali as a whole.
He shared, “Buildings that are not in accordance with the purpose not only violate the law, but also hurt the Balinese architectural philosophy that prioritizes harmony with nature, culture, and spirituality.”
The evidence called upon to demolish the buildings has been cited from investigative findings outlined by the Bali Provincial Satpol PP which is stated in letter Number R.22.300.1/5129/Bid II/Satpol PP dated May 10, 2025, that a number of buildings such as villas, bungalows, homestays, and restaurants that are located along the coast of Bingin Beach and the edge of the clifftop were found to be violating the law.
Some of the buildings and businesses are managed by Indonesian citizens, some by foreigners, and some involve both.
Budiatuama noted that each of the cases was complex and many of the premises were built by violating a series of different laws and regulations. He explained “Starting from the aspects of spatial planning, land, living environment, to the alleged criminal offense of land grabbing. It can even touch on criminal offenses if an element of intent is found by the relevant officials.”
The businesses are reported to have been issued closure notices and now many are awaiting the next steps and further instruction regarding the coordination of demolition efforts.
While members of the Bali DPRD have deemed the move a success, they have not outlined any follow-up steps that may be taken to help regenerate the Bingin Beach and clifftop area’s natural landscape after the demolition has taken place, nor outlines how and where materials will be deposed of or reused after the deconstruction has been carried out.
Following the meeting one of the building owners, Usiana Dethan, spoke to reporters and confirmed that he will await the government’s final decision regarding the recommendation for the demolition of illegal buildings before making any changes on the property.
He shared “From the corporation itself we have conveyed, now we just have to wait for the government’s action. It’s been a long time, not just yesterday.”
He confirmed that most of the building owners impacted by the demolition orders are prepared to be cooperative with the government and law enforcement but that nevertheless, they are waiting further clarity on the matter.
Dethan concluded “We are just waiting. Whether it will be dismantled, closed, or will there be a form of joint management between the Badung Regency Government and the Bali Provincial Government. That’s what’s not clear yet.”
Similar investigations that could result in demolition orders are being carried out across Badung Regency, including in Jimbaran Beach and Balangan Beach.
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Rika
Friday 13th of June 2025
"...private villas, and guesthouses in the Bingin Beach resort area be demolished after it was discovered that they were constructed illegally..."
after it was discovrred...
comedy gold!
Exp
Saturday 14th of June 2025
@Rika, These people make sure to extort whoever do whatever size business inside their area, so when they suddenly claim they "discovered" something with the permits you can be sure they are the source of the discovery.
Exp
Friday 13th of June 2025
Looks like they have extracted what is of value from accepting these small developments to mushroom and operate. No they have bigger plans for these beaches, so the small potato must go.
All the concrete and iron will now "disappear" conveniently during the night. Not far, maybe just outside the reef. Who knows. Similar to other gov. own projects openly dumping the demolished cliffs down into the sea below. No hope really.
Steve bm
Monday 16th of June 2025
@Exp, all the car wrecks etc were deep sixed out at sea from the bali bombings
Budi
Thursday 12th of June 2025
New beach club coming soon to Bingin
Swen
Thursday 12th of June 2025
This is straight from Bali corruption handbook 101.
1. Allow illegal construction take place for years. Make it lucrative so it would attract high spenders. 2. Wait for the places to establish themselves and make good money. Make sure the investors have poured ton of money into their illegal projects. 3. Trap the investors by starting to ask for "missing" permits, etc. Threaten with demolishing, deportation, jail time, etc. 4. Give these investors two options - pay us high "fines" or demolish your investment and lose all the money you brought to Bali. Negotiate the maximum payment out of these "illegal" investors. 5. Profit. 6. Repeat with newcomers to the island who think they have found lucrative opportunities.
This is how their circus operates. We are at point nr.3 with these villas. Few months ago same "operation" took place at Parq Ubud.
Steve bm
Monday 16th of June 2025
@Swen, yep get some money out of them for years but have reasons for kick out and demolish when a bigger fish comes along.
Swen
Sunday 15th of June 2025
@Exp, exactly. Forced to pay or forced to evict to take over. That's how these uncivilized locals operate.
There's another potential layer to it.
Force these places to close, to be demolished and land made available for a big business, such as some beach club or major hotel chain. That's why no permits were given in the first place, it would create legal problems for getting the land back later.
Without paperwork, just force anyone out and take it over. Jungle law.
As you said, anyone investing in Bali, needs their heads examined.
Viktor Z
Saturday 14th of June 2025
@Swen,
Abandoned your therapy trajectory again?
The Nordic Resistance Movement needs some toy boys. How about you?
Exp
Saturday 14th of June 2025
@Swen, Item 4. There is actually a well used 3rd option: Forced to sell the whole well run business to a well connected local gangster boss well below market price. When I say forced, I mean hands on forced.
Those who "invest" in Bali need their heads examined.
Višnja
Friday 13th of June 2025
@Swen, exactly
Thommo
Thursday 12th of June 2025
"A group of Bali Senators has issued the provincial government with an ultimatum to demolish Step Up Hotel and 45 other illegal buildings in the Bingin Beach area" So how can 46 buildings be built in such a significant tourist beach surfing area over the years whilst breaching so called land use zoning laws? And be done unnoticed to local governance, Bali govt or development accountability process/authorities and relevant departments? Simply really. There is no control of building approval and process or any accurate overview of development in Bali. Supposed authorities have no idea what is going on and how unhinged and corrupted the situation is. They have never had any idea because ineptness, corruption and greed has run rampant for decades. If they can't fix countless potholes or maintain major and other heavily trafficked roads what hope is there? Let's not mention the horrendous land and sea pollution and embarassing trash landfills and the many illegal village rubbish dumps and rampant burning plastic behaviour. And the endless empty rhetoric from politicians and authorities who achieve nothing. Need to get back to working on my drone flying car so I can travel safely.