The start of the tear down. Photo: 10 News//YouTube
Bingin Beach, a center-piece of the Uluwatu surfing community, is about to look very different. Indonesian authorities have begun demolishing over 40 businesses at the iconic Bali surf desto.
According to the Bali Sun, the saga began when an investigation by Bali’s civil police unit, Satpol PP, found that over 40 buildings in Bingin Beach were violating spatial planning laws and building regulations. This kicked off weeks of negotiations between the businesses and the Badung Regency Government, with the government eventually declaring that the demolition would take place.
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“It is true that we have received a warrant for the demolition of the violating building at Bingin Beach,” I Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara, Head of the Badung PP Police, told reporters, “We immediately sent a notification letter to the owners of the building in question, stating that the demolition will begin on July 21, 2025, and continue until it is completed.”
In total, 45 buildings were affected.
The Bali Sun noted that demolition notices were also issued via letter, posters, and WhatsApp messages. “We did this notification in various ways, in order to minimize the reason for ignorance during the execution process,” Head of Investigation Ida Bagus Ratu told local media.
Now that the deadline has arrived, officials have followed through on their promise. Social media footage shows government workers demolishing buildings while distraught locals look on. In one video, Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster even wields a hammer himself.
However, the businesses have vowed to continue to fight back. “Bingin residents and business owners have hired four lawyers,” wrote local social media account Uluwatu Community. “A legal battle may be just getting started.”
