The Benoa Bay reclamation plan was first introduced in 2013/14 and has triggered a number of mass protests ever since.

Resistance to the idea is spearheaded by a group of activists, artists, musicians, lawyers and local community leaders under the Tolak Reklamasi movement and organized by ForBali (Balinese People's Forum to Reject Reclamation).

They cite environmental and community (religious) issues as reasons for cancelling the proposed project, which would develop a series of artificial islands to accommodate hotels, restaurants, and even a Formula 1 circuit in 700 hectares of mangrove swamps.

One of the platforms the newly elected Governor and Vice Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster and Tjok Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati (Cok Ace), ran on was to stop the reclamation of Benoa Bay and its mangrove swamps. And in a recent press conference in Denpasar, they clarified their position, which they said would be in their official policy once they have been sworn in on September 17.

They began by confirming the reclamation plan of Benoa Bay cannot be implemented, instead suggesting the area should be conserved. The Governor and Vice Governor have called on all parties concerned including the Provincial Government, the Badung Regency, the Denpasar City Government as well as all third parties who have any involvement to discontinue and to support any actions that enforce the initiative.

To support this position the Provincial Government have promised to take strict action against all parties proven to have committed violations or carried out illegal actions resulting in damage to the mangrove forest.

Koster called on those who both support and protest the reclamation "To no longer conduct demonstrations, given that we have confirmed that the reclamation plan will not be carried out."

In line with this call for 'peace', Koster has appealed to the people of Bali to establish a conducive, comfortable and safe atmosphere, cooperating to support the policy of the elected Governor according to Viva, especially as Bali will be hosting the world's press for the forthcoming IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting in October.

However, the Governor and Provincial Government do not have the authority to stop the project. In 2014, then-President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY), issued Presidential Decree Perpres No.51/2014 and pulled the 700 hectares of Benoa Bay that were designated for reclamation outside any protective zoning. This means only another Presidential Decree can cancel it.

Sources: Viva, Coconuts Bali, Bali Post

Similar to this:

Bali united under “One Island - One Management”

Local gov't and businesses work together to keep Bali clean

IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting benefits tourism in Bali