The community of Bingin Beach has been left in shock, devastated by the start of government-mandated demolition work in the area.
Bingin Beach is one of the most renowned surf destinations in the world and has been home to numerous Balinese-owned small tourism businesses since the 1970s.
The Bali Provincial Government and Badung Regency Government issued demolition notices to 45 businesses in the Bingin Beach area. These businesses include warungs, restaurants, guesthouses, hotels, and homestays.
The demolition notices were issued after a Satpol PP, or civil service police, investigation found that the properties in question were violating spatial planning laws and building regulations.
On Monday 21st July, more than 500 officers and government officials descended on Bingin Beach to start the demolition efforts that had been announced in the days prior.
Though the Bingin Beach community and businesses have launched legal action against the decision, the demolition efforts went ahead. Led by Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster, officers and construction workers began demolition businesses that still appeared fully operational.
Many business owners and workers have said that they had insufficient time to fully vacate their properties and were holding out hope that the demolition orders would be overturned.
Observers of the demolition site have expressed concerns that the work has not been carried out strategically, with workers using mallets and small sledgehammers to hack at properties, rather than executing a planned demolition effort. Footage shows several female members of staff from the restaurant urging the officers to stop, before they have no option but to move to a safer spot, where they broke down in tears of utter heartbreak.
Speaking to reporters, Nyoman Musadi, who is the spokesman for the businesses impacted by the demolition notices, explained that he and his group have submitted a range of different applications and appeals to the regency and provincial government, but that no answer had been given.
Musadi told reporters on Monday afternoon, “We have submitted this Bingin Beach [official tourism attraction] application letter, but there is no answer from the government that can be confirmed. The merchant has also been an audience with the Regent at his house here, because the Regent is from Pecatu, but the answer we got was zeroed, dismantled, and we were not given a chance. Immediately given SP 1, SP 2 until the demolition took place today.”
Musadi shared his fears about what the future of Bingin Beach will be. He explained, “We are afraid that if there is already zero here, in the next five or three years, there will suddenly be a magnificent villa. We hope this will not happen on Bingin beach. If there is, we are ready to give the community more peaceful demonstrations like this.“
One long-term resident and business owner in Bingin Beach, Made Suarja, shared his concerns about the timing of the investigation and subsequent demolition orders, especially since many of the buildings in question were built more than 20 years ago.
Suarja explained, “We have been there for about 30 to 40 years. Because our parents are fishermen and garden pandan there, for making mats.” He noted that he and his teams are now looking into customary laws that may allow them to salvage their businesses.
Suarja added, “We keep looking for justice because why can it be done in other places, but we are at Bingin Beach. How come we can’t?”
He shared his concerns for not only the business owners and the local community but also the employees and workforce of the area who lost their jobs overnight. Suarja added, “It will have a tremendous impact, approximately up to 300 employees.”
He concluded, “The lawsuit has been registered. Tomorrow, the examination of the files in court will continue.”
Speaking at yesterday’s demolition effort, Bali Governor Wayan Koster told reporters, “First, this land is owned by the Badung Regional Government, registered in the Badung Regional Government’s assets. So these buildings are not individual property. This was the first violation.”
He added, “There are 48 buildings; there are villas, all of them are illegal. People don’t use permission. The owner of the Bule is still be investigation.”
He concluded, “I ask the Regent of Badung to complete this demolition until it is completed and all 48 of these illegal tourism business buildings must be dismantled.” Noting “I am sure that this year there will be cleaning in all areas of Bali.”
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