In a dramatic escalation of Bali’s struggle between mass tourism and cultural preservation, 48 cliffside establishments at Bingin Beach have been demolished by local authorities. The crackdown, led by re-elected Governor Wayan Koster, targets alleged illegal developments on protected government-owned land, sparking dismay among locals and tourists alike.
Komang Agus, manager of the now-destroyed Morabito Art Cliff Villa, expressed despair over losing his workplace of 16 years. “I have a wife, three sons, my father is sick and in the hospital, how am I going to support them?” he said, his voice cracking. “We understand the laws and the need for regulation, but why only here?”
The demolition marks a flashpoint in Bali’s ongoing battle with overdevelopment. Governor Koster, who began the operation in July, stated: “We cannot allow it. If we let these methods continue throughout Bali, Bali will be ruined.” More than 20 other businesses at nearby Balangan Beach have also been targeted, with further action expected across the Bukit peninsula.
For many locals, the loss of Bingin represents the erosion of a historic surf culture that began in the 1970s and 1980s, when Australian surfers were drawn to its perfect waves. Local families built small warungs to serve them, including Kelly’s Warung, established by the family of professional surfer Mega Semadhi. “This place feels like home, away from the noise and chaos above,” Semadhi said. “There are not many places like this left.”
Over time, the area commercialised, with some rooms renting for over A$200 a night and small family-run businesses evolving into luxury suites. Semadhi lamented that “developments got out of control and people got greedy,” and called for community involvement in future plans: “If they are going to redo it, we want to do it properly. To return the soul of how it started.”
Tourists, many unaware of the plans, expressed dismay. An Australian surfer and local business owner who first visited Bingin over 30 years ago described it as a “very special place” with “something magical about it.” Business owners, including many foreigners, argue that many structures predate zoning rules and that efforts were made to ensure compliance. Lawyer Alex Barung, representing some owners, said the community had tried multiple times to resolve the issue with the government.
