All beaches in Bali are public, and no one has the right to make them private. Bali Governor Wayan Koster has decided to clearly define the boundaries and reminded hotel and villa owners that buying or leasing land even on the front line does not grant ownership of the beach and ocean.
Those who block access to the shore or evict locals will begin to be penalized.
Koster is outraged that businessmen are violating the rights of Balinese by setting up fences and closing off beaches to regular visitors. Such restrictions prevent locals from properly conducting important religious rituals, including Segara Kerthi (ocean purification) or Pakelem (offerings to water) ceremonies.
This week, Wayan Koster moved from words to action and presented the local parliament (DPRD) with a draft regional decree. The document aims to protect shoreline access once and for all. The governor set a strict deadline for legislators, requiring the law to be enacted by the end of 2025. Otherwise, future generations of Balinese will simply not be able to reach the water.
The head of the tourism industry association (GIPI) Ida Bagus Agung Partha Adnyana is trying to ease tensions and assures that most hotels adhere to the rules. According to him, the problems are caused only by certain private individuals.
Meanwhile, the deputy head of the hotel association (PHRI), I Gusti Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya, confirmed the existence of the problem and supported the governor's decision to strengthen oversight.
Now the members of Commission III of the local parliament will work on the details of the law. They will need to clearly stipulate what businesses can and cannot do.
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