Bali to Enforce New Law Protecting Tourist Access to Beaches and Coastal Regions
November 21, 2025 – Bali, Indonesia
Bali Governor Wayan Koster has announced a groundbreaking initiative to safeguard Bali’s cherished coastal areas from the adverse effects of unchecked tourism development. The new provincial regulations aim to preserve public access to beaches and coastal zones that hold deep cultural, religious, and environmental significance for the island’s local communities.
Protecting Bali’s Coastline from Unsustainable Tourism Development
Governor Koster revealed that the provincial government is drafting three new Regional Regulations (Ranperda) focused on coastal protection and maintaining coastal boundaries. These regulations arise from growing concerns about the restricted public access to beaches and coastal areas—a consequence of increasing tourism infrastructure projects encroaching on traditional and sacred sites integral to Balinese Hindu culture.
“The coast and coastal boundaries are religious, socio-cultural, and economic spaces for the community,” Governor Koster said. “Their use as public spaces is now increasingly under pressure due to development and tourism activities, which have disrupted local ceremonies, rituals, and social functions.”
Many of Bali’s popular tourist beaches have long been revered spaces of spiritual importance. The governor emphasized that preserving these coastal zones is essential not just for environmental reasons but also to uphold the island’s cultural heritage and ensure local communities maintain access to sacred sites by the sea.
Introduction of a Regional Public Company for Water Management
As part of this initiative, the government will establish the Kerta Bhawana Sanjiwani Regional Public Company, a regionally owned enterprise (BUMD) dedicated to managing clean water and wastewater. This strategic move aligns with Bali’s broader development vision, encapsulated in the principle “Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali,” which highlights the importance of environmental harmony.
“Water is the source of life, so ensuring the availability and quality of clean water is a fundamental obligation of the regional government,” Governor Koster stated, highlighting the connection between water management and environmental sustainability.
Crackdown on Unregulated Foreign Investment in Tourism
The provincial government is also taking decisive steps to regulate foreign investment in Bali’s tourism sector. Governor Koster recently met with Indonesian Deputy Minister of Investment and Downstreaming Todotua Pasaribu to discuss investment governance, foreign direct investment regulations, and improving coordination between central and regional authorities.
The meeting underscores the administration’s commitment to eliminate illegal or grey-area foreign investments, especially those compromising Bali’s cultural and environmental standards. Deputy Minister Pasaribu supported this effort, emphasizing the need to ensure that foreign investors contribute positively to Bali’s development.
“We must balance and regulate foreign investors so they not only do business but also make real contributions to the region and the country,” Pasaribu said.
Enhanced Licensing and Permit Oversight Through Government Coordination
One outcome of the talks between Bali’s provincial government and the central government is the establishment of a dedicated licensing services desk in Bali. This office will integrate with Indonesia’s Online Single Submission (OSS) system to streamline permit issuance and enhance oversight of high-risk development projects.
This development addresses a long-standing issue in Bali, where large-scale tourism projects had been approved through the OSS system without adequate local government review. The new arrangement aims to tighten controls to safeguard Bali’s unique environment and heritage.
Deputy Minister Pasaribu highlighted ongoing efforts to revoke permits for projects detrimental to local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and those violating traditional wisdom. “Protecting local businesses must be a priority,” he remarked.
Firm Stance Against Law Violators in Tourism Sector
Governor Koster concluded his announcement with a clear warning to foreign investors operating illegally, particularly those in the accommodation and villa rental business.
“It’s unfair to those who are disciplined. I will take firm action against those who violate the law and support those who are disciplined,” the governor affirmed. “We support investment, but it must be controlled, and there will be no mercy for violators.”
By enacting these new laws and reinforcing governance frameworks, Bali’s leadership aims to ensure tourism development proceeds responsibly—preserving the island’s natural beauty, cultural identity, and public access to its iconic coastal regions for generations to come.
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