Governor Koster: Six New Regulations Are Pro-People and Mark the Implementation of Bali’s 100-Year Development Vision
DENPASAR — A strong commitment to safeguarding Bali’s development direction for the next century was reaffirmed as the Bali Provincial Government and the Bali Provincial House of Representatives (DPRD) unanimously approved six draft regional regulations into law.
All leaders and members of the Bali DPRD agreed to enact the six Draft Regional Regulations (Ranperda) as Provincial Regulations (Perda) during the 20th Plenary Session of the First Sitting Period of the 2025–2026 Legislative Year, held at the Wiswasabha Utama Hall, Bali Governor’s Office, on Monday (Dec. 29, 2025).
The plenary session proceeded in a calm yet momentous atmosphere. Following reports from the special committees, Bali DPRD Speaker Dewa Mahayadnya, commonly known as Dewa Jack, sought approval from all members. The chamber responded in unison with a firm “Agreed,” followed by the sounding of the gavel and applause, officially marking the passage of six key regulations that will serve as a new foundation for Bali’s development.
In his final remarks, Bali Governor Wayan Koster expressed deep appreciation to the Bali DPRD. He explained that he made a point of attending the plenary session in person, despite earlier commitments to a meeting with the Minister of Environment concerning critical waste management issues, including the closure of the Suwung landfill.
“Please allow me to apologize for not arriving on time. However, I felt it was essential to attend in person because the regulations passed today are extremely important for Bali’s future,” Governor Koster said.
He conveyed his highest appreciation to the leadership and all members of the Bali DPRD for their hard work, commitment, and seriousness in deliberating the six draft regulations simultaneously and approving them within the targeted timeframe.
The six regulations enacted are:
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Regional Regulation on the Respect, Protection, and Fulfilment of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities;
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Regional Regulation on the Protection of Beaches and Coastal Setback Areas for Traditional, Social, and Local Economic Activities;
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Regional Regulation on the Establishment of the Regional Public Company Kertha Bhawana Sanjiwani;
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Regional Regulation on the Fourth Amendment to Regional Regulation No. 10 of 2016 on the Formation and Structure of Regional Government Agencies;
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Regional Regulation on the Control of Chain Modern Retail Stores; and
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Regional Regulation on the Control of the Conversion of Productive Land and the Prohibition of Nominee-Based Land Ownership Practices.
Governor Koster emphasized that five of the six regulations—excluding the one related to government organizational structure—contain strong, people-oriented substance and are forward-looking in nature. Together, they represent the initial implementation of the Bali 100-Year Development Guidelines, which began in 2025.
“These are the first six regulations enacted as part of the Bali 100-Year Development Vision. That is why I deeply appreciate the Bali DPRD for working swiftly, seriously, and responsibly within a short period,” he said.
In his address, Governor Koster spoke emotionally about the urgency of the regulation on beach and coastal protection, citing increasing instances where investor control has restricted public access, including access for customary communities conducting religious ceremonies.
“Beaches belong to the public. No one purchases a beach. When communities struggle to conduct traditional ceremonies on their own shores, that is when the state must be present,” he said. The regulation is intended to ensure that beaches remain public, cultural, and local economic spaces, rather than being monopolized by private investment interests.
He also highlighted the importance of establishing a regional public water company, noting that water is a fundamental resource and a top priority within the Bali 100-Year Development Vision.
“Without water, there is no life. Water resources must be properly managed—from upstream sources to distribution for the community,” he said.
Meanwhile, the regulation on controlling the conversion of productive land was described as highly critical, as the rapid pace of land conversion in Bali has reached alarming levels, posing risks to food security, the sustainability of the Subak irrigation system, environmental preservation, and the socio-economic continuity of Balinese society.
Governor Koster also addressed the regulation on controlling chain modern retail stores, stressing that it is not intended to prohibit modern businesses, but to ensure balance so that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), small industries, and traditional shops can coexist harmoniously with larger players.
“Large businesses must not eliminate smaller ones. Balance must be maintained,” he said.
Governor Koster added that all six regulations will be submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs after Jan. 1, 2026, for facilitation, with the aim of having them take effect no later than February 2026. Coordination will also be carried out with the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/National Land Agency (ATR/BPN), particularly concerning land-use conversion, which has become a national concern.
In closing, Governor Koster urged the Bali DPRD to continue exercising strong oversight to ensure that the newly enacted regulations do not remain merely on paper, but are fully implemented and deliver tangible benefits to the public.
“With strong supervision, we can ensure that Bali is developed in a more orderly, disciplined, and sustainable manner, in line with the Bali 100-Year Development Vision,” he concluded.
The plenary session was also attended by the Secretary of the Bali Provincial Government, senior officials, members of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), and invited guests, marking a significant milestone in Bali’s regulatory journey and future development.***
