Eyewitness News – DENPASAR
Bali Governor Wayan Koster has underscored the urgent need to protect the island’s agricultural land amid a rapid influx of investment and expanding tourism. He stressed that Bali’s development must maintain a balance between economic growth, environmental conservation, agricultural sustainability, and community welfare.
Koster made the remarks during his keynote address at a seminar titled “Synergy of Local Government, Ministry of ATR/BPN, Notaries, and PPAT to Protect Bali’s Agricultural Land Amid Investment Waves and Maintain Sustainable Bali Development,” held at the Hongkong Garden Restaurant, East Denpasar, on Sunday afternoon (Sept. 20).
Small Island Under High Development Pressure
Spanning roughly 5,590 square kilometers—less than 0.1 percent of Indonesia’s total land area—Bali is home to around 4.4 million residents across 57 sub-districts, 636 villages, and 80 urban communities. Given its limited territory, the island faces mounting development pressures, particularly from tourism and foreign investment.
Tourism Contributions to National Economy
• Foreign Arrivals: Reached 7.05 million foreign tourists, a decade high reflecting an 11.4 percent increase from 2024.
• Domestic Tourist Volume: Recorded approximately 9.3 million visits, bringing total tourist visits to 16.3 million.
• Economic Value: Generated around IDR 176 trillion in foreign exchange revenue, accounting for roughly 55 percent of Indonesia’s total national tourism revenue (IDR 319.9 trillion).
Improved Macroeconomic Indicators
• Economic Growth: Accelerated to 5.82 percent, up from 5.48 percent in 2024, surpassing the national average of 5.11 percent.
• Per Capita GRDP: Rose to IDR 72.66 million from IDR 67.32 million in 2024.
• Poverty & Unemployment: Poverty dropped to 3.42 percent (from 3.80 percent), while Open Unemployment decreased to 1.45 percent (from 1.79 percent)—both cited as the lowest nationwide.
• Human Development Index (HDI): Increased to 79.37 from 78.63 in 2024.
• Stunting Prevalence: Stood at 8.7 percent, significantly below the national average of 21.5 percent. Koster urged regency and municipal governments to sustain efforts toward further reduction.
Addressing Regional Disparities
• Sarbagia Area: Covers 889 square kilometers (16% of Bali) but generates IDR 10.9 trillion (83%) in Regional Original Revenue (PAD).
• Non-Sarbagia Area: Spans 4,701 square kilometers (84% of Bali) but accounts for only IDR 2.3 trillion (17%) in PAD.
• Infrastructure Strategy: Koster identified this economic disparity as a serious challenge, highlighting infrastructure development as a critical tool for equitable growth. Given Bali’s limited fiscal capacity, close synergy with the central government remains essential.
Investment Pressures and Agricultural Regeneration
Koster highlighted the financial pressures facing local farmers. When offered land purchases equivalent to 10 to 20 years of harvest yields, selling becomes a pragmatic decision for farming families. Consequently, land-use conversion bans alone are insufficient; protection measures must include tangible financial incentives to make farming economically viable and safeguard food sovereignty.
Additionally, Koster pointed out the demographic challenge in the sector:
• Aging Workforce: Bali’s agricultural labor force is dominated by individuals over the age of 50, with declining interest among younger generations.
• Future Risks: Without generational succession, protected land risks becoming uncultivated. Policy focus must align land preservation with worker welfare and career viability.
Strengthening Regulations and Ethical Vision
Bali has enacted Regional Regulation No. 4 of 2026 on the Control of Productive Land Conversion and Prohibition of Nominee Land Ownership to curb land conversion and illegal proxy ownership practices.
”Do not sacrifice Bali for money,” Koster urged, reminding stakeholders to resist short-term financial gains and take shared responsibility for protecting the island for future generations.
The administration’s policies are anchored in the Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali vision, codified under Regional Regulation No. 4 of 2023 (100 Years of Bali Era 2025–2125). Grounded in the local wisdom of Sad Kerthi (Jana, Jagat, Atma, Segara, Danu, and Wana Kerthi), the framework mandates environmental stewardship through organic agriculture, ecosystem conservation, protection of sacred mountains and water sources, and climate management.
Role of Notaries and Land Title Officers
Koster called on Notaries and PPAT (Land Title Officers) to serve as the first line of defense against illegal nominee transactions rather than acting as mere transactional authenticators, as such practices frequently rely on various legal deeds and agreements.
Seminar Attendees
Key officials present at the event included:
• Joko Subagya, Director of Land Dispute Resolution at the Ministry of ATR/BPN
• Eko Priyan, Head of the Bali Provincial BPN Regional Office
• I Wayan Muntra, Chairman of the Bali Regional Management of the Indonesian Notaries Association (INI)
• Members of the Indonesian Notaries Association across Bali
Reporter: Daniel Herry
