Tourism Minster Wants To Crack Down On Illegal Bali Villas

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Indonesia’s Minister for Tourism and Creative Economies, Sandiaga Uno, has spoken out about the increase in the number of tourism villas operating illegally in Bali.

Speaking from the World Water Conference in Bali, Minister Uno says that both construction and business permits are being flouted. 

According to Minister Uno, many illegal villas are being misused in Bali. He was referred to the private tourism villa that was used as a drug den in Canggu.

Four men have been arrested as a result of a drugs bust on Sunny Villa in Canggu; the villa was turned into a drugs lab for the production of methadone and a marijuana grow room.

However, Minister Uno also spoke about private villas that have been built without sufficient construction permits or against the initial permits that were granted. Minister Uno believes that there are also many villas that are open and operating without the correct business and tourism licenses and permits. 

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During a meeting for the Standardisation and Certification of the Tourism Sector, held in Bali’s Kuta on Tuesday, Minister Uno said “Many villas now do not have permits as tourism businesses, so it appears that the villas are used for drugs, used for [other] activities that violate the law.”

He also communicated his disappointment that many business operators have such poor awareness of standardization and certification throughout the tourism sector, from accommodation to attractions and beyond.

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Minister Uno told the press that he encourages local governments and other stakeholders to continue to socialize and educate the public regarding the importance of the Indonesian National Standards (SNI) for Cleanliness, Health, Safety and a Sustainable Environment or SNI CHSE. 

He said, “We must continue to massively scale this up because we hear about accidents and practices of tourism and creative economy behavior that violate designations and permits and so on. Meanwhile, Bali itself is the center of our tourism, but the number of certified companies is still very low.”

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Minister Uno has also confirmed that construction has been halted and an investigation underway into the construction project at Pemutih Pecatu Beach by Mirah Development Group.

All relevant authorities are now cross-checking all permits and licenses following a construction landslide that destroyed much of the limestone cliff face that sits between Impossibles Beach and Bingin Beach in Uluwatu. 

Minister Uno confirmed, “This villa has been stopped to confirm the permits. Also, do they comply with the permits that are currently being built?”

When asked about an ancient tree that has also recently been cut down in a land clearing for another hotel project on the island, Minister Uno shared his regret.

He was also questioned about mining in Banyuwangi, just across the Bali Strait in East Java, as the noise pollution from explosives has been disturbing local residents and tourists around Pulau Merah Beach. 

Minister Uno simply replied in reference to the need to implement any and all tourism development in alignment with CHSE guidelines.

He said, “We still refer to CHSE tourism. Without it, it is impossible for us to provide tourism that is in line with the vision target of Wonderful Indonesia 2030: green tourism.”

The Head of Badung Satpol PP I Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara also told reporters that a site visit had been completed, and they, too, are investigating the matter. He told reporters, “We are temporarily stopping it while (the project owner) will be summoned to clarify the permits.”

He added, “from the statement, this project is for a hotel. The land area is 11,000 square meters.”

The Mirah Development Group has confirmed that the beach will be reconstructed to its former glory within 28 days once they have assessed the most efficient and impactful way to make that happen.

However, it is not yet clear what the consequences will be for the development company should they be found to have flouted their construction permits or be negligible in the run-up to the construction landslide that destroyed the ancient limestone cliff.