Nusa Penida Community Leaders Seek to Reverse Governor’s Condemnation of Glass Lift Project.
Bali Governor Wayan Koster’s bold ruling that the controversial construction of a Glass Lift on the cliff face at Kelingking Beach on Nusa Penida must be stopped and that urgent steps be taken to restore the area to its original pristine state is the subject of widespread coverage in virtually all Bali media. Governor Orders Removal of Eyesore Glass Lift on Nusa Penida
The Glass Lift was found to violate zoning laws and spatial regulations by a legislative team that visited the project.
Following the Governor’s shutdown order, the community leader on Nusa Penida Island (Bendesa Adat) has spoken out in defense of the glass lift project.
I Ketut Gunaksa, the leader of the Nusa Penida Traditional Village Council (Paketan Pasikian Bendesa Adat) and the Head of Jungutbatu Traditional Village, stated that the community continues to support the construction of the Rp 200 billion glass elevator project. The local leaders of Nusa Penida, however, insist that they respect the Governor’s opinion that laws and regulations had been broken in the Glass Lift Project.
Quoted by BeritaBali.com, Gunaksa said, speaking after a meeting of the Nusa Penida Traditional Village Council on Friday, 28 November 2025: “Okay, we must respect and honor these findings This admission (on our part) is made despite the Governor of Bali’s order that the project be stopped and remnants of the construction process be removed within six months.”
Gunaksa explained that the traditional village heads of Nusa Penida will continue to pursue a persuasive approach with the Governor of Bali and the Regent of Klungkung. They hope both officials will reconsider the decision to halt the glass lift project by embracing the community’s aspirations, which they claim support the project’s continuation. He stated that the people of Nusa Penida believe that tourism investments, such as the glass elevator project, can have a significant positive economic impact.
“Hopefully, the Governor and the Regent will consider the aspirations of the Nusa Penida community,” Gunaksa added.
The village heads are asking the Governor and legislators for a “win-win” solution for all parties.
The Governor, meanwhile, remains steadfast in his decision, insisting the lift must be demolished and the site returned to its natural state. In one report, the Governor asked if even sacred Mount Agung could be protected from such projects in the future.
While Gunaksa will seek to continue a dialogue with the Governor, he underlined that whatever the final decision, the people of his community will honor the law, even if it is decided that the lift project must be demolished.
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Governor Orders Removal of Eyesore Glass Lift on Nusa Penida
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