Bali governor Made Mangku Pastika shows weakening stand point with regard to a number of Bali villas which violate purity zone of Uluwatu Temple according to Bali zoning bill no. 3/2005. After a two hours meeting which was closed to the press held at Wisma Sabha, the governor expresses his vision that Bali zoning bill n0. 3/2005 is out of date.

“Why do we have to keep and enforce a regulation which has been proven that we could not implement?” said Pastika. In contrast, his predecessor, Bali’s former governor Dewa Beratha  has sent a written warning to the regent of Badung to strictly enforce the bill. Beratha’s action was taken in respond to the chairman of Bali House of Representatives (DPRD Bali), I.B. Putu Wesnawa who recommended strict law enforcement to Bali villas built within the purity zone Uluwatu Temple.

However press finds it strange that the meeting seems to be attended only by those who supports villa developments in the area. Commission I and IV, the so far strong deffender of the purity zone, war not involved in the meeting. Attending the meeting are village leader of Pecatu Wayan Sudikerta. The government of Badung regency was represented by head of Cipta Karya office Suwandhi, head of tourism office Subawa, and expert staff Oka Darmawan. From the provinicial government there are chairman of Bali planning agency Ir. Wayan Subagiarta, head of tourism office Nirjaya, head of public works office Sudiana, head of forestry office Sulendra, and head of public relation Puasha Aryana.

Pastika explained that government officials are obviously protecting themselves from being accused for missing to demolish Bali villas in the area. On the other hand, however, welfare of local community in the surrounding area of the villas needs to be protected as well. The governor does not say anything about the urgency of demolishing the villas to enforce the regulation. Contrary the governor will set up a small team to reassess the current zoning bill to accommodate interests of local residents in the area.

The team will include officials from Bali provincial government, the government of Badung regency, and Indonesian Hindu Council (PHDI). Every aspect of the bill including beach clearance area and temple purity area will be reassessed to fit the current interest of local residents. Result of their work will become an important consideration to revise existing bill.