DENPASAR – Bali Governor Wayan Koster and Badung Regent I Wayan Adi Arnawa summoned the management of Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) on Monday night, September 30, 2025, at 10:30 p.m. WITA at Jaya Sabha to address the controversy surrounding a wall that blocked public access for residents of Banjar Giri Dharma, Ungasan Village, South Kuta, Badung.
Governor Koster was accompanied by the Head of Legal Bureau, Head of Public Works and Housing Agency (PUPR), and the Head of Regional Asset Agency, while Regent Adi Arnawa attended with the Head of Government Administration. From GWK, the board of directors, commissioners, and staff were present.
During the meeting, Governor Koster instructed GWK to immediately dismantle the wall, in line with community demands and recommendations from the Bali Regional House of Representatives (DPRD Bali). Regent Adi Arnawa echoed this directive, emphasizing that the people’s interests must come first.
“Demolition must begin tomorrow, October 1, 2025, so that residents can once again use the road that has long been their access. This is to ensure that their daily activities can return to normal,” stressed Koster.
The firm instruction was fully supported by Regent Adi Arnawa. Both leaders agreed that the dismantling process should be completed as soon as possible to restore residents’ comfort and mobility.
Governor Koster also reminded GWK to maintain a positive relationship with the community.
“GWK cannot be exclusive, nor should it alienate local residents. Instead, the community must be embraced as an ecosystem that supports GWK’s presence, ensuring tourism activities and GWK’s image are preserved,” said the two-term governor.
Responding to these directives, GWK management expressed a positive commitment. In front of Governor Koster and Regent Adi Arnawa, GWK’s directors, commissioners, and staff pledged to comply with the order. They confirmed that demolition of the wall would begin on October 1, 2025, reopening access for local residents. GWK also promised to build stronger cooperation with Ungasan villagers in the future and assured that such actions would not be repeated.
The move followed a letter of recommendation issued by the Bali DPRD on the evening of September 30, 2025, urging the Governor and relevant agencies to take immediate action against GWK. This was in response to an earlier recommendation by Commission I of DPRD Bali, which had set a deadline for GWK to comply by September 29, 2025, at midnight WITA—a deadline that GWK failed to meet.***
