A beloved beach community in Bali has been left destroyed after authorities sensationally came in with hammers and began knocking down several popular villas and drinking holes.
The painful scene unfolded in video footage as business owners, employees, locals and tourists cried out when crews began smashing the over 40 “illegal” structures to rubble, decimating the local economy.
The picturesque cliffside region, known for its impressive surf break, is meant to be part of a green belt, but over the years, buildings and resorts like Morabito Art Cliff have popped up as Bali attempts to keep up with immense tourism demand.
But as 2025 is expected to reach a record number of international tourists, many have been left asking why authorities would, in the height of its peak tourism season, decide to take such drastic action and what impact it may have in years to come.
Managing Director at Australian Traveller Media, Quentin Long, described the actions taken by police and local authorities as “performative”.
While unsactioned developments are common in Bali, he believes “in this instance it looks like the authorities want to make a point.”
Despite the widespread shock at the action taken, Long believes “we shouldn’t be surprised.”
“It’s local politics, you never know in Indonesia. It’s not our country and they operate in a different way.”
What’s going to happen to Uluwatu’s Bingin Beach?
Authorities have since stated that the move was designed to “disable” the business premises before large-scale demolition could occur.
“By disabling vital facilities, this will certainly impact operations. Only then can everything be levelled,” Chief of the Badung Satpol PP, Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara, told reporters.
It’s understood that demolition work is intended to be completed within a month, and only after this process is complete will be community be invited to discuss the future of the land.
Many are questioning if the demolition of Bingin Beach will leave the area in disrepair or make way for something else.
While Long believes surfers will always come to the area regardless of what the cliff face looks like, it “would impact what people do once they’ve had a surf”, meaning there could be widespread implications for the region.
“It depends on what happens next, he said. “If it is left in that state of disrepair, it’ll put people off,” he said.
Long speculated that redevelopment will “probably” take place in the prime tourist location.
“Will they put a beach club there? Evidence suggests they will,” he said. “History says that development will happen and you’ll have a new tourism experience that replaces the old one and lifts the amount of money it takes to get there,” he said.
Long said he suspects that in a year or six months, there’ll be an announcement that will give clarity to the situation.
“There are so many possible explanations for why now and why they are doing it in that particular way.”
Bali officials hand out ‘self-demolition’ orders
Bali is expected to see more than 6.3 million visitors in 2025, with Uluwatu being one of the prime tourist spots thanks to its pristine beaches and clifftop views.
Both foreign-backed and Indonesian-owned businesses have been cashing in, building resorts, villas, cafes and restaurants to keep up with the demand.
Local media reported in the past few months many of the constructions on Bingin Beach were done so illegally, with officials using “self-demolition” orders.
When businesses refused to demolish their own business, Balinese officials burst in on Monday and began using hand tools to destroy the businesses.
“The buildings for tourism businesses here are illegal — that’s it,” Bali’s governor, I Wayan Koster. “We should not let this practice continue. If we let this go on, Bali will be damaged.”
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