Another Bali tourism hotspot is set to be bulldozed as part of major crackdown on the party island

A second Bali beach will have its popular waterfront restaurants demolished as the government cracks down on unauthorised establishments.

Balangan Beach, in Ungasan near Kuta, will have 23 of its restaurants removed immediately by the Indonesian island’s Satpol PP authority in August.

The buildings have been found to violate coastal zoning laws by being constructed on the beach’s setback area, with the government warning other beaches would follow.

It follows a similar demolition in Bingin Beach, in Pecatu, where structures were torn down beginning in mid-July, in front of their distraught owners and families. 

Head of Satpol PP, Dewa Nyoman Rai Darmadi, said the department will move forward with Balangan Beach demolitions once it is done cleaning up Bingin Beach.

Governor I Wayan Koster said his government is committed to removing all illegal tourism buildings across nine locations on the island. 

Bali’s Provincial Council (DPRD) is advising on how best to approach the destruction, with the remaining seven locations as yet unannounced.

Forty-eight local businesses have already been served demolition notices along Bingin Beach due to their violation of planning laws and building regulations. 

Mr Darmadi warned business owners and officials not to ‘play games’ with the law.

‘We’re currently collecting data on Balangan Beach,’ he said.

‘It’s the same situation as Bingin Beach – these were built on the beach’s sandy area.

‘We ask for patience while we complete and gather data from the joint task force.’ 

Governor Koster said he will not publicly disclosed the nine locations singled out by his administration until the DPRD approves of their destruction.

He said direct field observations have verified that each location contains illegal structures.

The DPRD is still debating whether or not more sites need to be added to its list of areas operating illegally.

‘If there are any more sites identified and recommended for action, I will follow up immediately,’ the Governor said on Monday. 

Business owners around Bingin Beach spent weeks fighting for survival after the Badung Regency Government announced its demolition orders.   

Despite their efforts, multiple videos captured dozens of officials in high-vis gear and hard hats storming into businesses on Monday.

One clip showed Bali Governor Wayan Koster proudly smashing at a door with a hammer while surrounded by media crews and delighted officials.

Governor Koster said he attended the demolition to send a message and prove to people he was not ‘playing games’.

‘I wanted to make it clear to all ranks not to play around – because I know some have been doing just that,’ he said.

‘This is also a message to irresponsible tourism business operators; do not play around. Do not break the rules.’

Tourists who had bookings at Bingin Beach hotels, villas and homestays were made to find alternative accommodation after the sudden demolition announcement. 

Badung PP Police head Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara said the business owners knew they had no planning permission to build on land that was not theirs.

‘Our community in Pecatu is very aware that they carry out activities on the land,’ he said.

‘So I hope no one comes to say this and that, pretending to be a saviour, to be a hero.

‘People are aware when building on land that does not belong to them, so it is natural for them to leave the land.’

Bali Police deployed 500 officers to ensure the demolitions went down smoothly.