Local residents in Sanur had barely adjusted to the new shopping mall when they found themselves having to defend their beach as well. Bali Icon Mall opened in June 2024, but not completely – the promised beach club was delayed. The Balinese community is now opposing this construction.
Sanur is a district where primarily retirees or families with children prefer to stay, those seeking peace and quiet. The very fact of building a large shopping mall here was negatively received by many. One of the reasons was traffic. Indeed, since the mall opened, many Sanur residents have complained about increased car and bike traffic, especially on weekends. If a beach club were to be added near the mall, the number of visitors would multiply.
Additionally, the community fears that such development could affect those who choose Sanur for their holidays. If noisy young crowds start to flock here, retirees and families with children might not like it. Existing establishments targeting different audiences could also lose revenue.
Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana, Chairman of the Bali Tourism Board (BTB), shared this sentiment. He emphasized that investors need to consider the character and preferences of tourists who visit Sanur for tranquility, especially those aged 30 and above.
“Investors must understand the Sanur audience. They may have data, but as far as I know, local communities haven't changed much recently. Attracting a different audience could change the situation and potentially harm other businesses in Sanur,” he explained.
Prominent Balinese entrepreneur and politician Niluh Djelantik is also vehemently opposed to the construction of shopping malls and beach clubs in Sanur. She believes that each area of the island has its own direction and uniqueness, which should be preserved rather than changed. Otherwise, she warns, everything will turn into Seminyak or Canggu, which she views as synonymous with chaos.
Niluh suggested that the government needs to develop policies regulating the creation of businesses that match the characteristics of different areas. She fears that Bali will be overrun by tourists who care little about local customs and culture.
“Otherwise, Bali will be destroyed. People who come here will no longer feel comfortable,” she concluded.
Deputy Mayor of Denpasar Kadek Agus Arya Wibawa agrees. He stated that the municipal administration does not wish to see beach or nightclubs sprouting along the Sanur coastline. He believes that “wild parties” in the style of Kuta, Legian, or Canggu would “change the DNA” and tourist character of the island.
Additionally, the deputy mayor clarified that he is not aware of any permit for the opening of a beach club in Sanur. Currently, investors can submit their development plans directly to relevant authorities through an online single submission (OSS) system. Therefore, Kadek Agus Arya Wibawa plans to urgently contact Denpasar’s Licensing and Permit Agency to gather information about the proposed beach club.
The official later clarified that despite the mayor's desire to preserve Sanur’s historical authenticity, modernization is still planned. However, this primarily involves improving existing infrastructure: installing street lighting, repairing sidewalks, and roadside drainage. The mayor's office is also seeking funds to reduce traffic congestion in Sanur's business district.
As for ICON Bali Mall, their website initially mentioned the construction of two beach clubs on the waterfront near the mall. However, this information has since been removed from the page.
Sources: Detik, Tribun-Bali.
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