DENPASAR — Bali Governor Wayan Koster officially inaugurated I Kadek Mudarta as the Head of the Provincial Transportation Agency (Dinas Perhubungan) of Bali, in accordance with Governor’s Decree No. 930/04C/KK/2025 on the Appointment of Civil Servants to Senior Executive Positions within the Bali Provincial Government.
Prior to his appointment, Kadek Mudarta served as Head of Integrated Transportation Systems at the same agency. The inauguration ceremony took place at Gedung Kertha Sabha, the Governor’s official residence in Jayasabha, Denpasar, on Thursday (October 31).
In his remarks, Governor Koster emphasized that the position of Head of Transportation is a strategic and demanding role that requires firmness, courage, and the ability to think comprehensively when addressing the complex transportation issues facing Bali.
“I urge the new Head of Transportation to act firmly and decisively. We must accelerate the completion of administrative requirements for priority programs funded by both the national (APBN) and regional (APBD) budgets, so they can be implemented by 2026,” Governor Koster said.
“These include developing parking facilities in the Batur area, constructing new underpasses, and improving the surrounding zones of the Bali Arts Festival (PKB) venue.”
Governor Koster also underlined the urgent need for short-term traffic management strategies to address the worsening congestion, especially in the Sarbagita region (Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, and Tabanan). He called on the Transportation Agency to map out traffic hotspots, particularly those affected by the heavy flow of trucks transporting materials from Jembrana and Karangasem.
“Sarbagita is the center of local and tourism activities. The solution cannot rely solely on infrastructure development — it must also involve precise and adaptive traffic management,” he added.
The Governor further addressed several pressing transportation issues, such as the proliferation of illegal online motorcycle taxis (ojek online), unauthorized tourist transport, and non-local drivers operating without proper permits. He stressed that law enforcement must be strict and consistent, as Bali already has regional regulations governing private transportation services.
“Order must be maintained — but with the right approach. Design the proper mechanisms. Conduct joint operations between the Transportation Agency, Satpol PP, and, if necessary, involve the police,” Koster instructed.
Foreign Traffic Violations Tarnish Bali’s Tourism Image
Governor Koster also touched on an increasingly publicized issue — foreign tourists violating traffic laws, such as riding motorcycles without helmets or valid driving licenses.
“If they don’t have an international driver’s license, they must be sanctioned. We cannot allow such behavior to tarnish Bali’s tourism image,” he said firmly.
He urged the Transportation Agency to work with relevant authorities to carry out regular, educational enforcement so that visitors understand both traffic safety and local regulations.
Unity and Professionalism in the Transportation Department
Concluding his address, Governor Koster reminded all officials within the Transportation Agency to maintain internal unity and professionalism.
“Everyone must move in the same direction, with one vision and one spirit. We work for the people of Bali,” he emphasized.
The appointment of Kadek Mudarta as Bali’s new Head of Transportation reflects the provincial government’s strong commitment to building a safe, orderly, and environmentally friendly transport system — one that supports sustainable tourism growth and enhances the welfare of Balinese society.***
