The story of the glass lift at Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida has taken a new turn. The project’s investor, Zhang Yaosheng, has filed another lawsuit with the administrative court after the first attempt ended at the preliminary stage. The case is now being heard again by the court in Denpasar.
The first claim was withdrawn due to issues with the documents. During the preliminary review, the court found that the power of attorney had been issued incorrectly: it was not signed by the company director who had the authority to do so. As a result, the case never reached a hearing on the merits. In the new filing, the defendant is listed as the head of Bali’s public order agency.
At the heart of the dispute is whether the authorities’ order to halt construction and dismantle the project can be overturned. Bali authorities insist they followed the proper procedure. The head of the public order agency, Dewa Nyoman Rai Dharmadi, said he is not afraid of court and is confident that the sanctions against the investor were lawful. Governor Wayan Koster took a similar stance: he said the investor has the right to sue, but in the authorities’ view the project violates the rules.
This is the same glass lift that began to be built on the slope by Kelingking, one of Nusa Penida’s most famous viewpoints. In November 2025, the Governor of Bali demanded that the work be stopped and gave the investor six months to dismantle it voluntarily. At the time, the authorities cited violations related to permits and land use.
For now, the court is only reviewing the formal requirements and whether the claim file is complete. In other words, the parties have not yet moved on to the substance of the dispute.
For the project itself, this means a prolonged pause. While the legal proceedings continue, the dismantling remains on hold: the investor is trying to overturn the authorities’ decision, and the Bali government, judging by officials’ statements, has no intention of backing down.
Sources: antaranews.com, balipost.com
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