As corduroy lines roll in on Bali’s bukit from Uluwatu to Impossibles and Bingin to Balangan, the atmosphere in the water is frantic and high energy. Cheers can be heard from the shoulder at Bingin as local hero Tommy Sobry slides neatly underneath the hood before wafting a bucket load of spray at onlookers.
However, the mood on the beach is much more somber. It’s a sunny day in the middle of dry season yet the warungs that line the cliff at Bingin are mostly empty. Locals can be seen packing up their belongings and heading up the steps, businesses which are usually thriving multi-cultural hubs of surfers and beach goers are now lined with yellow tape and eviction notices. Some even look like construction sites. But in this instance, they’re being demolished and dismantled.
As of Monday 21 July the Bedung Regency government began demolishing all the businesses on Bingin cliff. Their argument is that these businesses are violating planning laws and spatial regulations. Many families set up shop here years ago when Bingin was nothing but jungle, and the government have said they did so without permits and on state land which is not theirs. This is nothing new to Indonesia and there have been other cases where the powers that be roll into town and start creating chaos.
Rumours have circulated that a major investor has approached the government promising greater tax returns in order to build a resort at Bingin, with aims of privatizing the beach. If this goes ahead, Uluwatu and Balangan will be looking over their shoulders in fear that they could be next.
“The facts are that those 47 businesses on Bingin cliff were built on government owned state land with no legal permits. But this was at a time when permits didn’t exist,” said local Piter Panjaitan.
“The government claim that they want to enforce the clean-up of the coastline, starting with Bingin. However, there are so many other areas around the bukit that have been built on and go against the law and spatial planning. So, why Bingin?
“The businesses at Bingin already make a lot of money and are an essential part of tourism in the area which is key to the Balinese economy. So if it already makes money, what could possibly trump it that would require the government to knock everything down? More money.”
Videos have circulated on social media as government officials begin tearing down the businesses of the cliff. In one video, Governor Wayan Koster can be seen taking to a door with a hammer while smiling.
“They are breaking the soul and spirit of the local people by doing that. There is no empathy, if you’re going to do it, you do it with a heavy heart but there seems to be no remorse,” said Piter.
Bits of rubble from the buildings has already started to collect on the beach and Piter raised concerns of where these materials could end up.
“We have been given no time frame for how long the demolition will take. They can’t get an excavator down there, so are they planning to do it with their own hands? It’s going to take them years to get rid of everything. Where will the rubble and rubbish go? We have seen it with the Uluwatu cliff, it will end up in the sea. Within a week or two there will be no one on the beach because it will be full of dust and rubble.
“If no one wants to access the beach at Bingin then it’s going to have an impact on tourism in the whole area, not just the beach. It will affect the whole Bingin community.”
A petition has been started online to raise awareness on this issue and help ‘save Bali’s Bingin Beach Community from forced demolition.’
In the petition’s description, it states:
“Reports suggesting that local businesses are unwilling to pay local government taxes are inaccurate. On the contrary, local businesses have demonstrated a high level of cooperation and a willingness to comply with all applicable requirements. However, to date, local governments have not issued the necessary permits to allow these businesses to register and fulfill their local tax obligations.
“Meanwhile, a well-known property developer and operator of one of Canggu’s most famous beach clubs has begun promoting property investment opportunities using the image of Bingin Beach, despite the lack of official development approval, let alone consultation with the local community.
“It’s also worth noting that businesses in many coastal areas within Badung Regency, including Ayana’s Rock Bar, Ulucliff House, and Melasti Beach, have been granted legal status and official protection. Meanwhile, businesses in other coastal areas, such as Suluban, Balangan, and Thomas, which share similar community characteristics to Bingin, are permitted to operate without hindrance.
“Just now, as Bingin Beach reaches the peak of its global popularity, the local government is suddenly pushing ahead with a massive demolition plan.”
It continues:
“If this demolition proceeds, hundreds of Balinese families face the risk of losing everything, from their businesses and homes to their sole source of income. What’s at stake isn’t just the physical structure, but the future of a destination that has grown and developed organically by the local community over more than 40 years, becoming the globally recognised Bingin Beach.”
Local surfers and business owners have also taken to social media to express their discontent at the decision, including Mega Semadhi. In a post to Instagram, Mega wrote:
“To the Honourable Regional Government, Traditional Leaders, and all Bali people,
“While our family is supposed to be joyfully celebrating the moment of the birth of our second child, my heart is just overwhelmed with sadness and rage over the situation at Bingin Beach—our home.
Bingin Beach is not just a tourist place. This has been home to my family and the local community for over six generations. Where we live, grow and earn a living through hard work without depending on anyone. Without Bingin, I wouldn’t know surfing, wouldn’t have a career that led me to introduce Bali and Indonesia to the world. Through Bingin, we can improve the quality of life of our families.
“I don’t push down the rules. But I ask: Are the rules fair ? What really stands for all?
“There are still many buildings like beach clubs, bars and restaurants standing in similar positions—even more leaning out to the sea—that have remained untouched today. Why are only local kiosks and community owned inns being evacuated? Are they special?
“I’m aware that coastal land is state owned. But these buildings have been standing since the 70’s, long before laws and regulations existed. For years they have been trying to dialogue, asking the government to regulate so that the development is not too much, so that Bingin remains authentic. But here is the result: one-sided eviction, with no real protection for the local community.
What is the fate of the hundreds of workers who will be laid off and the impact on the future economy around the Bingin Beach?
“If it must be dismantled, I beg you very much: Give a chance to the people of Bingin to cooperate with banjar / traditional village / service to keep managing this area, because they are the ones who raise, protect, and make Bingin known to the world. Or, otherwise make Bingin a truly protected green zone. Let only coconut and pandan trees grow, not the new beach club that is drowned in Bali.
“Bali is Island of the Gods not Island of Beach Club.”
As the locals continue to rally for support in the hope that this demolition can be halted, you can show your support by signing the petition here.
