Top Bali Tourist Hotels Investigated for Permit Violations Amid Provincial Government Crackdown
BALI, Indonesia – The Bali Provincial Government has intensified enforcement actions against tourism businesses suspected of violating spatial planning, licensing, and tax regulations. This comes as part of a broad crackdown to ensure compliance across the province’s tourism sector, targeting both newly established and long-standing businesses.
Special Committee TRAP Established to Probe Violations
The government has established a Special Committee for Spatial Planning, Regional Assets, and Licensing, known as TRAP, assigned to investigate various legal breaches relating to spatial planning and permits. The team has been actively conducting investigations throughout Bali’s key tourism areas, including Tabanan and Badung regencies.
Notably, the TRAP team previously issued demolition orders for illegal constructions on the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces in Tabanan, an action that initially sparked protests from local farmers but has since been managed to encourage tourism responsibly.
Investigations Focus on Prominent Hotels in Uluwatu and Pecatu
Among the current investigations are two prominent luxury accommodations: The Edge Hotel in Uluwatu and Hotel Mulia in Pecatu Village. Both properties have been subjected to public hearings involving major political figures to clarify alleged breaches concerning spatial planning rules, building height restrictions, coastal boundary use, and adequacy of permit documentation.
Building Height Concern at Hotel Mulia
A central issue at Hotel Mulia is an alleged building height violation. According to TRAP Secretary I Dewa Nyoman Rai, Bali’s spatial planning guidelines stipulate that buildings should not exceed four stories or 15 meters in height—commonly referred to as not taller than a coconut tree, a cultural norm in architectural regulations. Hotel Mulia, which has operated for 15 years, reportedly has a five-story structure, prompting calls for a detailed review.
Permit Gaps at The Edge Hotel
The Edge Hotel, a well-known cliff-front property operating in Uluwatu for 14 years, is under scrutiny due to missing permits for its swimming pool and restaurant facilities located on the cliff edge. Specifically, the hotel has yet to secure the Approval of Suitability of Spatial Utilization Activities (PKKPR) and documents related to Environmental Management Efforts (UKL-UPL).
Authorities have set a deadline of January 20, 2026, for the hotel to rectify these permit deficiencies. Failure to comply may result in enforcement actions, potentially including police intervention.
Hotels Remain Open and Guests Unaffected for Now
Despite these ongoing investigations, both The Edge Hotel and Hotel Mulia continue full operations with no current impact on guest experiences. Officials have emphasized that these enforcement efforts aim to bring longstanding and new infractions into compliance without immediately disrupting tourism services.
Provincial Authorities Reinforce Commitment to Regulation
The TRAP committee’s proactive approach underscores the Bali Provincial Government’s dedication to enforcing sustainable tourism development aligned with local regulations and cultural values. This crackdown aims to ensure that tourism businesses operate transparently and responsibly, preserving Bali’s environmental and social integrity.
Travelers planning visits to Bali’s popular resorts can expect standard service levels to continue during the investigation period, while authorities work toward resolving the identified compliance issues.
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