Governor to Move Against Zoning Violators?

(3/14/2011)

As reported by Bali Post, efforts by the vice-regent of Badung to forestall the abandonment of the Beach World Complex, despite recommendations to do so from the Bali House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali), has drawn fire from Bali's governor Made Mangku Pastika and the director of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WAHLI), Bali "Gendo" Suardana.

On Friday, March 11, 2011, the governor claimed that the current debate over the 2009 zoning law is wasting time and energy. "Has the time for debating whether or not the provincial law (RTRW) passed or not?" asked Pastika.

In light of mounting violations of the RTRW and his letters reminding the regents and mayors of their obligation to enforce the zoning law, the governor is now preparing to begin enforcing the law. Warned Pastika: "We're ready to take the lead and enforce the law against those violating the RTRW, if the regional governments aren't prepared to do so. Especially in cases where it's proven that the RTRW has been broken."

The went on to explain that should he fail to take action against violators, those who have been given repeated warning will only continue to ignore the RTRW. In the end, argued the governor, Bali's zoning law will have no meaning.

While threatening enforcement, the government was careful not to mention any specific targets or when, exactly, his enforcement steps would be taken.

Meanwhile, commenting separately, the director of the WAHLI, Gendo Suardana, said the reluctance of the Badung regency to stop the Beach World project causes him to urge the governor to make a legal complaint against the Beach World Complex and the vice-regent, Sudikerta, who chose to apply a regional version of the RTRW instead of the provincial law.

Gendo called also for a wider moratorium on any new tourism projects until all the buildings now violating the law can first be brought into line.

Meanwhile, the rector of Bali's Udayana University has offered to facilitate a class-action suit against the regency of Badung for issuing permits for the construction of the Nusa Dua Beach World Complex.