Tourists and Bali lovers have been left shocked as progress on the Glass Elevator Project on Nusa Penida’s Kelingking Beach has been revealed.
The highly contentious project is creating a 182m elevator from the cliff top to the shoreline at one of the world’s most famous beaches.
With construction on the project still making progress, communities in Nusa Penida are now raising fresh concerns over the project’s permits, licenses, and environmental impact. The issue has caught the attention of Bali lovers after new footage of the project’s development emerged online.
Although there are increasing concerns that the Glass Elevator Project will cause irreversible damage to the environment at Kelingking Beach, the Head of the Klungkung Investment and One-Stop Integrated Licensing Service (DPMPTSP), Made Sudiarka Jaya, insists that the project has a NIB (business identification number) and a Building Permit (PBG) with a levy value of IDR 1.05 billion, which means that it is being developed in accordance with the law.
He confirmed that the relevant permits, including an NIB and PBG, are all in order and that the foreign investment behind the project, from a company based in China, is all above board. Jaya noted, however, that an Investment Realization Report has not been received because the investor has not submitted the Investment Activity Report (LKPM).
However, he confirmed that the company has been issued a summons to submit their LKPM immediately. The fact that this has not been submitted is considered a violation of the law, since keeping all paperwork, applications, licenses, and permits up to date is a legal requirement.
There has been no public discussion from stakeholders regarding an Environmental Impact Assessment, known in Indonesia as an AMDAL.
As development on the mega construction project continues, many tourists and community members in Nusa Penida are starting to see the impact the structure is having on the iconic landscape. Kelingking Beach and its clifftop viewpoint are not only one of the most famous beaches in Indonesia, but in the whole world.
The vista shot to international fame during the early rounds of social media travel blogging trends when the T. rex viewpoint became one of the go-to destinations for content creators.
New videos of the construction site are circulating online, with viewers commenting that the viewpoint has been destroyed. One local resident, Made Sediana told reporters this week, “It’s a shame that the beautiful view of Kelingking Beach has been destroyed by the lift project.”
Sediana added, “I think tourists come to Nusa Penida to enjoy the beautiful panorama, not the lifts.” He also shared concerns that the beach should not be made more accessible to tourists, especially since the waters off Kelinging Beach are a no-swim zone.
Sediana explained, “Many tourists experience accidents because they go down. If it were easier for guests to go down, it would be dangerous too. The coastline is narrow there, and big waves come suddenly. The best way to enjoy Kelingking Beach’s beauty is from above.”
However, there is even conflict in this idea, too. Earlier this week, it was confirmed that a fight broke out between tourists and viewpoint supervisors after tourists were deemed to be spending too long in one spot taking photos, preventing other tourists from enjoying the view.
In light of this resurgence of concern, the Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, has confirmed that he will be looking deeper into the licensing and permits situation. He confirmed to reporters that he has asked the Bali Provincial Government Special Committee for Spatial Planning, Assets and Licensing (TRAP) to visit the site in person and check that all documents are in order.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, 30th October, Governor Koster shared, “I’ve asked the TRAP Special Committee to investigate, review the documents, and investigate violations. If violations are serious, it’s closed! So now we must be brave.” The bold statements from Governor Koster threatening to close down the project if violations are found echo sentiments announced earlier this year, where he said there would be a ‘no mercy’ approach to foreigners found to be breaking the law or violating local customs.
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