Planning Bali's Future by the Rules

(3/28/2011)

Despite resistance and refusals from regents and mayors in Bali to his 2009 Zoning Law (RTRW), governor Made Mangku Pastika has reaffirmed that he will soon be consistently and rigorously implementing the law. Speaking at an open forum at the provincial House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali) held on Friday, March 25, 2011, Pastika depicted the RTRW as central to saving Bali's natural environment.

Describing pleas and protests from regents and mayor calling for the law's revision as "valid," he nonetheless urged all concerned to simply follow the law in its present ratified form in order that no one suffers sanctions for issuing illegal permits, as provided for in the RTRW.

Explained Pastika: "I hope the regents and mayors will not be frightened to enforce the law. Officials will suffer sanctions whenever they violate the rules. This is a country of law; every one can be punished if they oppose the rule of law."

The governor told the press that his office is putting the finishing touches on the implementing legislation (Pergub) which will be published soon.

Prior to the governor's comments, Nyoman Gelebet, a member of the organizing council for the Center of Hindu Studies (DPP), told the press there was no need for any revision to Bali's RTRW, with all that remain to be done is the urgent presentation of the governor's implementing legislation.

Gelebet pointed to the long-standing Bhisama Hindu religious dogma which forms a foundation of the RTRW as overriding any objections from those opposed to the full implementation of the new zoning law.