‘Don’t erase the soul of Bingin’: Bali Locals Mourn Loss as 48 Coastal Businesses Demolished in Government Crackdown
Bali, Indonesia — August 2025
A recent government-led demolition campaign has left dozens of local businesses in ruins along Bingin Beach, a once-tranquil surfing haven on Bali’s Bukit Peninsula, sparking outrage and deep concern among residents, business owners, and visiting tourists. In total, 48 cliffside establishments ranging from small warungs and homestays to boutique villas and restaurants were destroyed amid a crackdown on what authorities describe as illegal developments on protected coastal land.
Komang Agus, the manager of one of the most prominent properties, Morabito Art Cliff Villa, voiced profound despair as he stood amidst the rubble of his workplace of 16 years. “I have a wife, three sons, my father is sick and in the hospital,” Agus shared tearfully. “How am I going to support them?” While acknowledging the necessity of regulation, he questioned the selective enforcement: “Why only here?”
The demolitions represent a flashpoint in Bali’s ongoing struggle to balance booming tourism against the protection of its cultural heritage and natural environment. Bingin Beach, famed for its perfect left-hand barrel waves, has long held a special place in surf culture, attracting enthusiasts—many from Australia—since the 1970s and 1980s. Over decades, modest family-run eateries and accommodations catering to surfers evolved into high-end developments such as the multi-story Morabito Art Cliff boutique hotel, complete with multiple swimming pools.
Government’s Crackdown on Illegal Coastal Development
The crackdown is part of a wider campaign led by Bali’s re-elected Governor Wayan Koster to enforce stricter zoning regulations and eradicate unauthorized structures on government-protected land along the coast. Governor Koster, pictured at the beginning of the Bingin demolitions, stated, “We cannot allow it. If we let these methods continue throughout Bali, Bali will be ruined.”
Authorities have also targeted more than 20 similar businesses on nearby Balangan Beach, with the possibility that other parts of the Bukit Peninsula could face similar enforcement actions soon. The government is preparing a broader audit of tourism business permits across the island to prevent unregulated growth.
Cultural and Economic Impact on the Community
Local communities and surf advocates warn that the destruction risks erasing a unique cultural and social ecosystem that helped put Bali on the global tourist map. Mega Semadhi, a local professional surfer whose family owns Kelly’s Warung—a longstanding landmark on Bingin—lamented the changes. “This place feels like home, away from the noise and chaos above. There are not many places like this left,” Semadhi told The Guardian.
The increasing commercialization, with some rooms now renting for upwards of A$200 a night, has seen the original spirit of Bingin give way to luxury developments. Semadhi stressed the importance of inclusive future planning: “If they are going to redo it, we want to do it properly. To return the soul of how it started. If we lose this place, all of Bingin will suffer.”
Tourists, many unaware of the demolition plans, gathered on the beach during the clearance operations expressing sadness and confusion. Some expatriates, particularly Australians with decades of connection to the area, described Bingin as “very special,” recalling its humble beginnings and the deep friendships formed between surfers and locals over the years.
Legal and Regulatory Disputes
Many current business owners, including foreigners, argue their operations predated formal zoning regulations and that they acted with informal village permission under customary law. According to Alex Barung, a lawyer for several affected proprietors, “In 1985, the community realized the tourism potential and built supporting facilities. They lacked capital and so partnered with foreigners – but the businesses came first, before the regulations.” He emphasized attempts by the community to coordinate with the government had been ongoing.
Critics of the demolition process have expressed dismay over what they see as opaque and inconsistent enforcement. Piter Panjaitan, a local surfer and environmentalist, called attention to the harsh social repercussions: “Now, 1,000 people are losing their jobs overnight. People are crying.” He called for greater transparency and a more equitable approach to development.
Bali’s Growth Challenges and Future Prospects
Bali’s population has more than doubled since the 1960s to over four million residents, while tourist arrivals are projected to reach 6.5 million this year. The government has considered but ultimately shelved a moratorium on new tourism developments, focusing instead on tighter regulatory controls. Environmental groups such as Walhi Bali support efforts to curb unregulated growth but criticize selective enforcement, citing numerous other unpermitted projects remaining untouched.
I Dewa Nyoman Rai Darmadi, head of Bali’s Public Order Agency, denied accusations that the demolition was a precursor to luxury resort construction. “That’s a hoax,” he said. “This is protected land. There’s no indication of it being taken over by an investor.” He highlighted safety concerns arising from the dense clustering of businesses on the steep cliffs.
Governor Koster expressed hope for the area’s revitalization after renovation, saying, “It will become an attraction—whether for surfers or something else. At the very least, tourists will want to come, and it will contribute to the wellbeing of the local community.”
Nonetheless, many locals fear that without their meaningful involvement, redevelopment may strip Bingin of its authentic identity and further marginalize longtime residents.
Despite the heartbreak, community members like Mega Semadhi remain cautiously optimistic. “If they are going to do it, then maybe we can do it properly this time—a new beginning. But let us be part of it. Don’t erase the soul of Bingin.”
The fate of Bingin Beach underscores the delicate balancing act Bali faces as it grapples with managing rapid tourism growth while preserving the cultural soul and livelihoods that have long defined the island’s unique charm.
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