Nusa Penida Kicks Back Over Rampant Tourism Development On Island

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Leaders in Bali’s Nusa Penida have been conducting surprise inspections of building sites on the island.

These building sites are primarily for new developments within the tourism and hospitality sector, and leaders from the Klungkung Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) are concerned that these developments are not honoring the law. 

This is an issue not only seen in Nusa Penida, but also throughout the entire Bali Province. Leaders across the province have long expressed intentions to crack down on illegal construction and development, and have begun to take steps to both enforce existing laws and create new, more stringent legislation.

In Nusa Penida, officers from the Klungkung Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD), along with Nusa Penida Police, have been conducting spot checks on construction sites to ensure that all developments are being built in accordance with the law and project licensing and permits.

Deputy Chairperson of the Klungkung DPRD, Putu Tika Winawan, told reporters that the regency is on a mission to create a ‘new paradigm’ that will be enforced with clear and firm execution. 

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Winawan is also calling for all related government agencies to work more cohesively to help support the local community in reporting instances of violations on the island.

Winawan noted, “We must support the executive’s commitment, especially from the regent, to ensure effective prevention and control [of illegal building]. Recent efforts have been ineffective. Once built, they’re only demolished. And that’s only when there’s a protest. Moreover, as the regent confirmed, 90% of tourist accommodation on Nusa Penida is unlicensed. This is truly dire.”

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This is of huge importance for tourists traveling to Nusa Penida, since, as outlined in the list of Do’s and Don’t’s of Bali Travel, it is a requirement for all travelers to stay in legally operating and licensed accommodation. 

Winawan is calling for more operational support to be issued to Nusa Penida in order to oversee both existing developments and bring all accommodation and tourism hospitality businesses’ operations on the island into legal alignment.

The government official told reporters, “There are only six Satpol PP (Civil Service Police) personnel in Nusa Penida, covering two-thirds of the 315 square kilometers of Klungkung Regency. This is highly illogical.”

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Winawan added, “We hope investors will come to Nusa Penida, but they must also obey and comply with the regulations. This also includes upholding local wisdom and avoiding arbitrary decisions. What is permitted and what is not permitted must be clear, so as not to create a disparate impression among those below.”

The Head of the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP), Dewa Putu Suwarbawa, has since confirmed that plans are underway to increase the number of personnel in Nusa Penida, but the Regent of Klungkung is still coordinating this transition.

In light of the recent flooding on the main island of Bali, new laws are set to be introduced that are also set to curb the amount of tourism building development happening across the province.

The Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, has confirmed that new policies will be drafted to prevent the conversion of agricultural land into commercial property. 

Governor Koster told reporters this week, “Starting this year, yes, there is already an instruction to all heads of districts and mayors across Bali.”

 Adding “After handing the floods, we will meet again to ensure no more permits are issued for hotels, restaurants, or other facilities on productive land, especially rice fields.”

Intensive flood relief efforts are underway across Bali, including in Denpasar and the top tourism resort areas in Badung Regency. While more rainfall is forecast and localized flooding recorded in areas like Kuta on Thursday, 18th September, the State of Emergency was not extended for a further 7 days, and drew to a close on Wednesday evening.