A video has surfaced online showing rock debris falling into the ocean during the construction of a villa on the coast of Lembongan Island near Bali.
The footage has sparked criticism and heated discussions online. The project owner, an Australian citizen, was clearing a site for the villa's construction and simply dumping the excess rock off a cliff into the ocean.
"This not only poses a threat to nearby fishermen, but people also dive and snorkel in these waters. If tourists or locals happen to be underwater at the time of such dumping, it could lead to a tragedy," said the head of Lembongan, Perbekel I Ketut Gede Arjaya. "From what I've learned, he is building a villa on a cliff on a plot of land he has leased," Arjaya added.
According to him, the foreigner did not seek construction permits from either the representatives of the traditional village or its official authorities. Arjaya has temporarily halted the villa's construction.
The head of the Klungkung Regency police unit, Pamong Praja Dewa Putu Suarbawa, also reported that no construction permit had been issued yet. He noted that an inspection would be conducted at the site.
The villa owner admitted to the head of Lembongan village that he had leased the land from local residents and began construction using heavy machinery and local workers.
The chairman of the Klungkung Regional House of Representatives, Anak Agung Gede Anom, stated that the government must act decisively. First, stop the project, and then verify the residency status of the Australian who claims to be the owner.
He added that Nusa Penida suffers from projects that harm nature and asked the regional administrative organization in Klungkung to strengthen on-site supervision.
"We shouldn't wait until nature is damaged and videos go viral; decisive measures need to be taken in advance," Anom said.
Seeing that such incidents often recur, Gede Anom noted that considering the many tourist sites on Nusa Penida, a zoning plan for construction should be developed.
Looking ahead, he reminded everyone that before starting any construction, all documents should be prepared, especially if you are a foreigner. All permits must be obtained before construction begins.
Work on coastal areas sometimes doesn't go as planned, as was the case in Uluwatu. When clearing the site of old buildings that were constructed in violation, a massive cliff collapsed onto the beach below.
Sources: detik, patrolipost
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