PT. Bali Turtle Island Development (BTID) at Serangan Island is under siege from multiple fronts that include the Bali Environmental Advocacy Working Committee (KEKAL), the People’s Struggle Democracy Front (FRONTIER), the Indonesian Environmental Forum Bali (WALHI) and community members on Serangan Island for allegedly arrogating the use of open water areas through the installation of ocean buoys in the seas surrounding Serangan Island.
As reported by radarbali.com, a controversy surrounds BTID’s development activities at Serangang Island.
Made Krisna Dinata, WALHI Bali Executive Director, has criticized the installation of ocean buoys and other development activities by BTID at Pulau Serangan (Turtle Island), who has questioned the misuse of the mangrove forest for threatening the sustainability of the trees comprising the forest. WALHI alleges that installing the ocean buoys impedes religious ceremonies that Bali Hindus regularly hold at Serangan Island and also interferes with nature sports activities.
Meanwhile, members of the management of BTID have defended development efforts underway at Turtle Island. The Head of Communications of PT BTID, Zakki Hakim, and President Commissioner of PT BTID, Tantowi Yahya, said the demand for removing the sea buoys has been forwarded to the Company’s directors for resolution.
Continuing, Zakki defended BTID’s application for a permit to utilize the Tahura Mangrove Forest, covering 27.99 hectares for research and a nature tourism center. Zakki said BTID is operating a government program to use the protected mangrove conservation area to build an International Mangrove Research Center MBZ-HuW Research Center, for which an official groundbreaking ceremony was held in May 2024.
Zakki insists BTID creates access to the Mangrove Forest and the surrounding temples. “Access to the mangrove forest and access to the temples will be created. Yes, (we will fulfill the requirements) of research and nature tourism as well as religious needs,” Zakki explained.
The necessary application for use of the mangrove areas has been filed with the Indonesian government and is awaiting final approval. Zakki added: “We follow the rules. We prepare access, electricity, and water. We support what the government wants.”
Meanwhile, WALHI counters these claims of good corporate citizenry by BTID and says that by installing buoys, the Company is trying to privatize the waters surrounding Serangang Island.
WALHI also testifies that satellite tracking imagery shows that the ocean buoys have been in place since July 20, 2018, blocking the public’s access to some 46.83 hectares of mangrove area.
The WALHI representative, commonly known as Bokis, condemned BTID’s actions: “‘We strongly condemn the installation of the ocean buoys because, in our opinion, there is no justification for BTID installing the buoys.”
Earlier on January 30 30, 2025, Tantowi Yahya, speaking in his capacity as the President Commissioner of PT. BTID defended the fencing in the surrounding waters to prevent illegal fuel smuggling. In response, WALHI stated: “We consider Tantowi Yahya’s justification to be both unreasonable and far-fetched.”
WALHI also complains that limited open access to the waters surrounding Serangan Island limits local fishermen’s income, countering that if BTID has evidence of smuggling, they should then share that information with the proper authorities instead of unilaterally restricting access to fishing areas and limiting the fishermen’s income.
While accepting BTID’s positive desire to manage the mangrove area, traditional residents have criticized the Company for evicting and restricting Serangan community micro, small, and medium-sized entrepreneurs from the mangrove area.
In BTID’s mandate to manage the 27-hectare mangrove, they have issued warning letters to 17 food stalls that infringe on the forested area, ordering them to dismantle their businesses on mangrove land.
Local Serangan Island residents and environmentalists oppose BTID’s mandate to manage the 27-hectare Tahura Mangrove Forest, depicting the scheme as a land grab at the expense of the traditional Serangan Community.
Moreover, the planned construction of a tourism canal project by BTID is also seen as a further effort to privatize and isolate the Serangan community.
BTID’s pending request for official Approval of the Suitability of Marine Space Utilization Activities (KKPRL) would grant further control to the Company over the waters surrounding Serangan Island.
WALHI underlined their position, stating: “Policymakers in Bali, be it the governor, mayor, and also policymakers, and officials at the Nation’s Center including the President and related ministries, should take a stance in defense of the local people and force BTID to remove its ocean buoys and allow the local community access to the sea.”
WALHI’s Made Krisna Dinata urges the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries not to issue the Approval of the Suitability of Marine Space Utilization Activities (PKKPRL) because he suspects it is an attempt to segment or control the waters in Serangan.
Environmental observers are evaluating the investment activities carried out by PT. BTID and developments of the Serangan Island Special Economic Zone (KEK).
Press reports in Bali have also recently criticized PT BTID for unilaterally and illegally changing street names on Serangan Island by installing new road signs.
Related Links
MIT Denies Deal to Open a Bali Campus
Tsinghua University & MIT Educating Bali
Bali Special Economic Zone – Turtle Island
Koster Supports LNG Terminal in South Bali
Editorial: LNG Terminal in South Bali
Stay Informed on Bali Tourism-Related News: Subscribe to Bali Update