As reported by Beritabali.com, the residents of the traditional Balinese Village of Ungasan, located adjacent to the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Monument (GWK), are threatening a “sit-in” demonstration to demand the opening of Jalan Magadha – an access road to their community that passes through GWK.
Following continued protests, a barrier wall on the road to Banjar Giri Dharma has been demolished. Despite this change, feelings of ill-will between the villagers and GWK’s management persist, as locals believe GWK has failed to honor an agreement negotiated in 2007.
Lingering bad feelings have prompted the people of Ungasan to restate their aspirations via a traditional village gathering held on 04 October 2025. At that meeting, local representatives advanced 10 points of mutual consensus among villagers announced by the Traditional Leader of Ungasan, I Wayan Disel Astawa, on Saturday, 11 October 2025, at a public forum convened at the Pura Dalem of Ungasan Village.
Threat to Block GWK’s Entrance
One of the key points presented was a declaration by the Ungusan Villages of their intent to stage a sit-in and perhaps block the main entrance to GWK if the park’s management fails to respond to their call for open access to their community.
Wayan Disel Astawa reminded GWK and local authorities that despite repeated pleas for access over the past, they have not received a proper response. Moreover, Astawa insists that the demolition of the road barrier by GWK was not in accordance with the agreed terms.
“We have already sent a letter (to GWK), but to date, there has been no clarification. What we hope for is a firm response from the relevant parties, because the current demolition undertaken by GWK does not resolve the problem,” said Astawa on Saturday, 11 October 2025, at Ungasan Village, Badung Regency.
He underlined that in the meeting minutes dated 30 October 2007, it was stated that PT GAIN, as the original owner of the GWK area, and their legal counsel, had agreed to open a five-meter-wide access road for the benefit of the Ungasan Traditional Village and Banjar Giri Dharma.
However, PT GAIN has apparently sold the land to a third party, which has led to the agreement being ignored and the road being closed once again.
“Even though they have sold the land, PT GAIN cannot ignore the original agreement, because PT GAIN, as a legal entity, continues to exist. That commitment must be upheld. Otherwise, it would constitute a violation of the valid agreement and could even be considered in violation of the Indonesian Constitution,” he explained.
He said that the Ungasan community is demanding that access to Jalan Magadha be restored to its original state, as stipulated in the 2007 agreement. Furthermore, residents are requesting that the land for the road be excluded from the Building Use Rights (HGB) held by PT GAIN.
“What we are demanding is legal clarity. The road, currently blocked by a wall, should be cleared and restored to its original state as a public road. We have clear data and evidence,” he said.
He emphasized that the authorities had issued recommendations to reopen the road, but to date, the executives of GWK have not implemented the terms of the agreement.
“The ball is now in the GWK’s managers’ court. This issue has been delayed for too long. We are continuing to strive to maintain communication to maintain a conducive situation,” he said.
He explained that the Ungasan community did not intend to oppose the government or the GWK management. The residents are seeking to defend their right to access a main road leading to Banjar Giri Dharma and the religious site of Pura Pengulapan. “We do not want to be viewed as hard-liners, but if we do not get a clear answer (from GWK), a spontaneous response from local citizens can be expected. Those steps could include blocking the main entrance to GWK – one of Bali’s leading tourist attractions.
Moreover, the villagers are asking that permits and licenses for GWK/PT GAIN be frozen until the road access is reopened, in keeping with the recommendations of DRPD-Bali. Villagers are steadfast in demanding access to their homes and the restoration of road access to a local primary school (SD Negeri 8 Ungasan).
Villagers demand that GWK management maintain harmonious relations with the local community, provide legal certainty, and cease closing off access roads for residents, regardless of changes to future management.
GWK is being asked to comply with Government Regulation Number 18 of 2021, Article 43 (a), prohibiting the closing or enclosing of areas and other land parcels that serve as public access or public roads.
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