Bali News

Violations have not only sprouting in Badung but also spreaded out to Krangasem. A five-star hotel located at the easternmost regency of Bali named Sidharta Hotel was found to violate various regulations. Chairman of the 1st Commission of the House of Representatives (DPRD) of Karangasem, Pandu Prapanca Lagosa insisted the Regent of Karangasem, Wayan Geredeg to take strict legal enforcement action against the violation.

“If the hotel does not have operationg permit, it has to be closed, hotel operation has to be stopped, it is simply a logical consequence of violating regulation”, Lagosa said on Wednesday, July 15th.

:agosa’s opinion was based on statement of the regional development coordination bureau (Bappeda) of Karangasem, Wayan Artha Dipa, who confirmed that Sidharta Hotel was built without holding permit. Head of Culture and Tourism Office (Disbudpar) of Karangasem, Made Sudiarsa also informed that until construction completed and the hotel started to operate, the hotel built on a 2.4 hectare plot of land does not have required paperworks in place such as construction permit, environmental impact analysis, and other requirements. They haven’t even socialize their presence. “So far I am aware they are only holding investment approval from the central government”, he said.

Lagosa insisted the government of Karangasem regency to immediately employ justice team. Strict law enforcement is essential. For violation of setback regulation, the team should force for demolition if necessary. Hwoever on the other side Lagosa also expressed his disappointed by the failure of the government to response ongoing violation. These incidents should have never happened if the government closely monitor  incoming investments. “I think the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) has to get involved here. PHRI has to take part in keeping healthy investment climate as well as continuous growth of tourism industry”, he said.

Whilst it is normal that investors propose for permit to invest in certain area, investors have to also pay attention to existing regulations in place. They are welcomed to invest in Karangasem, but regulations are there to be obeyed. “Permits issued by central government do not necessarily override local regulations”, he added.

Meanwhile information collected by Bali Post concluded that investor of Siddharta Hotel is an ignorant one. They ignored series of warning letters issued by the District Head of Kubu where the villa is located. They even tend to fight back by hiding behind the situation that they employed many local workforce.