The Demolition of Bali’s Bingin Beach Has Sadly Begun

Why? That’s where things get tricky. The entirety of Bingin Beach is owned by the government, meaning nobody has a land certificate to build and/or operate a business on the beach. But they never have, and until now the government has allowed them to flourish. So what changed? Well, rumors are circulating about a big name investment group looking to snap up the land to build a massive beach club, with some speculating they’d even try to privatize the beach and/or the wave, similar to what the Nihi Beach resort does in Sumba. And where there’s smoke, well, there’s usually fire…especially in Indonesia. 

While the government is denying these rumors, it’s a strange decision to suddenly decide now is the time to rip apart a community that’s been around for generations. 

On Instagram, Mega Semadhi said it best: 

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 dont 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 villages / dinas 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.

It must be endlessly frustrating for locals like Mega that are watching their livelihoods destroyed in front of their eyes by people in power who have no clue what Bingin means to Uluwatu and beyond. If the government took time to learn Bingin’s storied history, they’d realize that without these “Illegal” businesses on the beach at Bingin there would be no mega resorts, restaurants, gyms, or health clubs anywhere nearby. Bingin beach is the heart and soul of an entire community and without it, what’s left?

While things seem dire at the moment, the legal battle is apparently still ongoing, so there’s still a sliver of a hope for a reversal of some kind. There’s also a petition circulating that got 15 thousand signatures just yesterday, which you can add to by clicking here.