Growing Number Illegal Building in Bali's 'Green Belt'

(2/9/2009)

Bali Post reports that the number of buildings being erected illegally in Bali's "green belt" zones continue to grow. And, according to Bali's leading daily, some villas built in the "no-build" zone seem to have obtained at least tacit approval from the government who issued some of the illegal structures with building permits. According to records kept by the Regional House of Representatives (DPRD Badung), there are now 25 illegal building standing within the restricted "green zone."

Helping to exemplify the confusion and growing dimensions of this problem, on Wednesday, February 4, 2009, the problem of an unnamed villa in Banjar Jempili, in Pererenan village, Mengwi, was formally raised with the DPRD Badung via a letter sent to Bali's Governor by a group calling itself the People's Environment Group (Masyarakat Peduli Lingkunan).

In the subject letter, the beach villa was identified as standing within the no-build "green zone" which stands near Tanah Lot . There are numerous boards posted in the no-build zone stipulating that no construction can take place in that area in a tract of land stretching 2,385 meters from the seashore. The subject building, according to the citizen's group, is not in the locations stipulated in its building permit issued in 2007. As such, the petitioners are calling on the Regent of Badung to order the demolition of the villa which stands on a 500 square meter plot of land.

The latest written protest of local citizens caused the Secretary of Commission "A" of the DPRD-Badung, I Wayan Suweca, to claim that the current case is only one of 25 similar violations, a fact that is causing the people of Badung to question the principles and capabilities of their public officials.

Suweca said the illegal villa clearly violate local zoning regulation Number 3 of 2003 as well as law number 26 of 2007. If it is proven that the villa stands with the green zone, the government institution which issued the building permit can also be sanctioned under law number 26 of 2007.