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Daily Mail
30-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Bali beach set to be bulldozed as part of major crackdown
A second Bali beach will have its popular waterfront restaurants demolished as the government cracks down on unauthorised establishments. Balangan Beach, in Ungasan near Kuta, will have 23 of its restaurants removed immediately by the Indonesian island's Satpol PP authority in August. The buildings have been found to violate coastal zoning laws by being constructed on the beach's setback area, with the government warning other beaches would follow. It follows a similar demolition in Bingin Beach, in Pecatu, where structures were torn down beginning in mid-July, in front of their distraught owners and families. Head of Satpol PP, Dewa Nyoman Rai Darmadi, said the department will move forward with Balangan Beach demolitions once it is done cleaning up Bingin Beach. Governor I Wayan Koster said his government is committed to removing all illegal tourism buildings across nine locations on the island. Bali's Provincial Council (DPRD) is advising on how best to approach the destruction, with the remaining seven locations as yet unannounced. Forty-eight local businesses have already been served demolition notices along Bingin Beach due to their violation of planning laws and building regulations. Mr Darmadi warned business owners and officials not to 'play games' with the law. 'We're currently collecting data on Balangan Beach,' he said. 'It's the same situation as Bingin Beach - these were built on the beach's sandy area. 'We ask for patience while we complete and gather data from the joint task force.' Governor Koster said he will not publicly disclosed the nine locations singled out by his administration until the DPRD approves of their destruction. He said direct field observations have verified that each location contains illegal structures. The DPRD is still debating whether or not more sites need to be added to its list of areas operating illegally. 'If there are any more sites identified and recommended for action, I will follow up immediately,' the Governor said on Monday. Business owners around Bingin Beach spent weeks fighting for survival after the Badung Regency Government announced its demolition orders. Despite their efforts, multiple videos captured dozens of officials in high-vis gear and hard hats storming into businesses on Monday. One clip showed Bali Governor Wayan Koster proudly smashing at a door with a hammer while surrounded by media crews and delighted officials. Governor Koster said he attended the demolition to send a message and prove to people he was not 'playing games'. 'I wanted to make it clear to all ranks not to play around - because I know some have been doing just that,' he said. 'This is also a message to irresponsible tourism business operators; do not play around. Do not break the rules.' Tourists who had bookings at Bingin Beach hotels, villas and homestays were made to find alternative accommodation after the sudden demolition announcement. Badung PP Police head Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara said the business owners knew they had no planning permission to build on land that was not theirs. 'Our community in Pecatu is very aware that they carry out activities on the land,' he said. 'So I hope no one comes to say this and that, pretending to be a saviour, to be a hero. 'People are aware when building on land that does not belong to them, so it is natural for them to leave the land.' Bali Police deployed 500 officers to ensure the demolitions went down smoothly.
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Heartbreak as beloved beach spot is demolished as holidaymakers watch on
The crackdown on "illegally built" buildings at the world-famous Bingin Beach in Uluwatu, Bali began on Monday, drawing huge crowds of angry locals and surfers to gather Huge tearful crowds formed as hordes of officials destroyed villas and restaurants at a beloved beach. The crackdown on "illegally built" buildings at the world-famous Bingin Beach in Uluwatu, Bali began on Monday. The destination is incredibly popular among Australians and global surfers in southern Bali, yet has become a source of frustration for local politicians. Local government officials say none of the buildings have been built with the correct permits, ABC News reported. Bali's governor, I Wayan Koster, marched to the beach alongside demolition workers armed with crowbars and sledge hammers. "The buildings for tourism businesses here are illegal — that's it. We should not let this practice continue. If we let this go on, Bali will be damaged," he said. Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@ Owners of the targeted businesses wailed and screamed in distress as their livelihoods were torn apart by the workers. As they were unable to bring in heavy machinery due to the buildings' steep cliff-side construction, they smashed tables and doors to smithereens during the government-enforced demolitions. ABC News reported that a Balinese woman screamed out: "This is how the bureaucrats work. They've demolished our livelihoods." reports that some travellers have had their bookings voided at the popular destination due to the demolition works. Authorities have denied rumours that the demolition was carried out so a high-end resort can be built. Eleven-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater took to social media to condemn the move. He wrote: 'Awful to hear and see that the beachfront at Bingin in Bali has been bought up and all the local (eateries) and other businesses will be demolished to make room for some kind of beach club and not sure what else? "Bali has been completely mishandled and ruined by foreign interests in recent years. I hope something can be done to retain the culture and beauty of what attracted everyone there in the first place.' Known as the "Island of the Gods," Bali is one of the world's top tourist destinations. Yet, the influx of visitors has also led to numerous problems, including disruptive behavior from tourists drawn to the island's idyllic beaches, vibrant food scene, rich cultural heritage, affordable accommodation, and the promise of luxury indulgence. While tourism has been a major economic driver—accounting for over 60% of Bali's economy in 2019—many locals have developed mixed feelings about it. The island has struggled with overwhelming traffic, uncontrolled development, and a growing number of poorly behaved tourists. In 2023, more than five million foreign tourists visited Bali, which has a population of just four million. The island has had several tourist scandals recently, including a visitor who was criticised for posing naked in front of a sacred tree in 2023. American travel publication Fodor's has placed Bali on its 'perennial no list', urging people not to travel there and further add to the island's woes. "This post-pandemic travel rebound has only intensified the strain on the island. While this influx has boosted the economy, it has also placed overwhelming pressure on Bali's infrastructure. Once-pristine beaches like Kuta and Seminyak are now buried under piles of trash, with local waste management systems struggling to keep up," Fodors writes. Earlier this year, faced with the challenges of overtourism, officials in Bali proposed introducing a daily tourist tax, similar to Bhutan's $100 (€£79) Sustainable Development Fee, which is charged to most international visitors. Wayan Puspa Negara, head of the Bali Marginal Tourism Actors Alliance and a lawmaker in Bali's Badung regency, told the South China Morning Post that he envisions Bali 'selecting' tourists, much like Bhutan does. The Himalayan nation restricts its annual tourist intake to just 400,000 people and has previously charged up to $250 (£198) per day for visitors, Euronews reports. Tourists are also obliged to hire a guide, driver and transport from any official tour agency.
The Star
11-06-2025
- Health
- The Star
Businesses grapple with Bali's single-use plastics ban
DENPASAR, Bali: Businesses in Bali are struggling to adapt to the recent ban on single-use plastics on the holiday island, with many resorting to less sustainable alternatives or expressing frustration over the lack of support and guidance from local authorities. In April, Bali Governor I Wayan Koster issued a circular banning the use of plastic bags, cups, straws and styrofoam in businesses, government offices, schools, hotels, restaurants, markets and places of worship, as part of broader efforts to tackle the island's growing waste problem. Businesses that fail to comply may face permit revocation, while villages that do not enforce the policy risk losing government assistance. Since the regulation took effect, many cafes, coffee shops and restaurants in Bali have begun replacing single-use plastic cups with paper alternatives. However, Catur Yuda Hariyani, director of the Bali Environmental Education Center (PPLH), argued that the shift to paper cups does little to address the island's mounting waste problem. 'We're simply replacing one type of waste with another,' Catur said on Monday (June 9) as reported by 'What's worse is that paper cups are even harder to recycle because they contain a plastic lining to make them waterproof. This lining must be separated during the recycling process, but it's extremely difficult to do. As a result, many recyclers won't accept them,' he added. He also warned that many businesses are now using paper cups to serve hot beverages, which poses health risks to consumers. According to Catur, the inner plastic lining of paper cups contains components such as bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates, which can leach into hot liquids. Hot water can also break down the plastic lining, potentially releasing microplastics into the drink. A 2020 study in India found that within just 15 minutes, a single paper cup of hot coffee or tea can release up to 25,000 microplastic particles into the beverage. Several in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that micro- and nanoplastics can cause significant harm to the human body, including cell damage, inflammation, oxidative stress and immune system disruption. Meanwhile, exposure to both bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates can disrupt the endocrine system, potentially affecting reproductive development and behaviour, as well as increasing the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer. Sellers in traditional markets have also expressed frustration over the lack of practical solutions and guidance from the government following the ban on single-use plastic bags across the island, saying the policy has disrupted their livelihood. 'If I don't use plastic, what can I use to wrap my products, especially since I sell ground spices like pepper and clove?', said Sindy, a spice vendor at Badung Market in Denpasar, in a recent interview. Rian, a raw chicken seller at the market, shares a similar struggle. 'Buyers rarely bring their own containers and often ask me to put the chicken in plastic bags. Sometimes they even ask me to double-bag to prevent leaks,' he said. Bali has been grappling with a growing waste crisis in recent years, with unmanaged garbage frequently contributing to environmental problems such as flooding, including in popular tourist areas. A 2019 study revealed that Bali generates 1.6 million tonnes of trash per year with around 303,000 tonnes of plastic waste. However, only some 48 per cent of Bali's waste is responsibly managed either through recycling or landfill. A significant portion of collected waste never reaches a recycling facility or any of Bali's 10 official landfills, leading to 33,000 tonnes of plastic leaking into waterways every year. Governor Wayan previously stated that nearly all landfill sites in Bali have reached full capacity, with the majority of the waste consisting of single-use plastics, particularly water bottles. - The Jakarta Post/ANN
Straits Times
11-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Businesses grapple with Bali's single-use plastics ban
Bali generates 1.6 million tonnes of trash each year, with around 303,000 tonnes of plastic waste. PHOTO: AFP JAKARTA - Businesses in Bali are struggling to adapt to the recent ban on single-use plastics on the holiday island, with many resorting to less sustainable alternatives or expressing frustration over the lack of support and guidance from local authorities. In April, Bali Governor I Wayan Koster issued a circular banning the use of plastic bags, cups, straws and styrofoam in businesses, government offices, schools, hotels, restaurants, markets and places of worship, as part of broader efforts to tackle the island's growing waste problem. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
31-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Bali to ban production of bottled water under 1 litre
The ban is set to take effect in January 2026. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION: UNSPLASH BALI - Bali Governor I Wayan Koster has announced plans to ban the production of water bottles smaller than 1 litre, in an effort to address the island's growing waste problem, which has been linked to several environmental disasters. On May 29, Mr Koster summoned bottled water producers to a meeting in Denpasar to announce a new policy banning the production of water bottles smaller than 1 litre, which is set to take effect in January 2026. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
