Will Bali Re-Impose Moratorium on Hotel Development?

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) chairperson Megawati Soekarnoputri asked Bali Governor Wayan Koster to no longer approve any hotel construction project since there are too many tourist residences and hotels in Bali.

These buildings have displaced rice fields and destroyed the island's fertile soil. "Bali's soil is fertile. So, if the Bali governor doesn't make a regional regulation on land conversion. The first is the land issue, and the second is agriculture, [it must be clear] what [the land] will be used for in 100 years. You have to think far and wide so that the people of Bali will prosper," she said in a Seminar on the Future of Bali's Development in 100 Years: Bali in the New Era in Badung Regency.

Bali vice governor Tjokorda Oka Artha Ardana Sukawati or Cok Ace responded by saying that the Bali provincial administration also had the same wish, but it would require further coordination with the central government.

"Actually, Bali has always been headed in that direction. Our problem is at the central government since [the hotel industry] is not yet on the negative investment list. [We are still] coordinating with [the central government]," he said at the Bali governor's office on Wednesday.