Bali Tourist Villas
Bali Tourist Villas – Leaders in Bali’s Uluwatu are proposing that 45 hotels, private villas, and guesthouses in the Bingin Beach resort area be demolished after it was discovered that they were constructed illegally.
A group of Bali Senators has issued the provincial government with an ultimatum to demolish Step Up Hotel and 45 other illegal buildings in the Bingin Beach area.
The other buildings include villas, homestays, restaurants, and other tourist facilities suspected of violating various laws and regulations, ranging from spatial layout rules to indications of encroachment into state land.
Bingin Beach is one of Uluwatu’s most famous tourist hangout spots, and over the last five years, it has undergone a rapid period of development and transformation.
Speaking to reporters following a government meeting, attended by representatives from the buildings in question, the Chairman of the Commission I DPRD Bali, Nyoman Budiutama confirmed that the call for demolishing is based on evidence that all 46 sides of the buildings has been found to be violating administrative rules and/or spatial planning agreements.
Budiutama explained “The demolition is officially administrative. Because they violated the rules, we recommend it to law enforcement. The plan is that we will ask for them to be dismantled.
Budiutama confirmed “We will coordinate first because the dismantling requires the cost of heat equipment and the terrain is also harsh. So there needs to be coordination with the executives to carry out the demolitions recommendation from the Bali DPRD.”
He added that the government will give building owners the chance to do ‘self-demolition’ but that if orders are not fulfilled, the Bali Government will take over and coordinate the demolition of the buildings.
Budiutama noted that the calls for demolition are all part of a bigger effort to showcase the best of Bali’s tourism and preserve the culture of the Bingin area and Bali as a whole.
He shared, “Buildings that are not in accordance with the purpose not only violate the law, but also hurt the Balinese architectural philosophy that prioritizes harmony with nature, culture, and spirituality.”
The evidence called upon to demolish the buildings has been cited from investigative findings outlined by the Bali Provincial Satpol PP which is stated in letter Number R.22.300.1/5129/Bid II/Satpol PP dated May 10, 2025, that a number of buildings such as villas, bungalows, homestays, and restaurants that are located along the coast of Bingin Beach and the edge of the clifftop were found to be violating the law.
Some of the buildings and businesses are managed by Indonesian citizens, some by foreigners, and some involve both.
Budiatuama noted that each of the cases was complex and many of the premises were built by violating a series of different laws and regulations. He explained “Starting from the aspects of spatial planning, land, living environment, to the alleged criminal offense of land grabbing. It can even touch on criminal offenses if an element of intent is found by the relevant officials.”
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The businesses are reported to have been issued closure notices and now many are awaiting the next steps and further instruction regarding the coordination of demolition efforts.
While members of the Bali DPRD have deemed the move a success, they have not outlined any follow-up steps that may be taken to help regenerate the Bingin Beach and clifftop area’s natural landscape after the demolition has taken place, nor outlines how and where materials will be deposed of or reused after the deconstruction has been carried out.
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Following the meeting one of the building owners, Usiana Dethan, spoke to reporters and confirmed that he will await the government’s final decision regarding the recommendation for the demolition of illegal buildings before making any changes on the property.
He shared “From the corporation itself we have conveyed, now we just have to wait for the government’s action. It’s been a long time, not just yesterday.”
He confirmed that most of the building owners impacted by the demolition orders are prepared to be cooperative with the government and law enforcement but that nevertheless, they are waiting further clarity on the matter.
Dethan concluded “We are just waiting. Whether it will be dismantled, closed, or will there be a form of joint management between the Badung Regency Government and the Bali Provincial Government. That’s what’s not clear yet.”
Similar investigations that could result in demolition orders are being carried out across Badung Regency, including in Jimbaran Beach and Balangan Beach.
Bali Police Uncover Cruel Cyber-Scam Operation
Bali Police have confirmed that they have uncovered, arrested, and detained 38 people in connection with an organized cybercrime gang in towns across the island.
The scam, referred to as the Love Scam, or the Love Scam Network, has been found to be a type of catfishing scheme whereby cyber criminals based in Bali operate online using fake profiles of women to extort and lure money out of victims who believe they are in a romantic relationship.
The network has been found to be operating in Indonesia, Cambodia, and the USA.
More details about the raids and arrests were shared in a press conference hosted by Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya, who was accompanied by the Director of Cyber Polda Bali, Kombes Pol Ranefli Dian Candra.
Adityajaya told reporters, “The investigation of this case began on June 9th at 1 a.m. in one of the houses on Nusa Kambangan Street. After confirming that there was illegal activity, at 9 a.m., [the property] was ambushed.”
Adityajaya continued “Nine people were secured at crime scene two. Crime scene three was secured by six people. Crime scene four was secured by eight people. Crime scene five was secured by six people. In addition to securing 38 suspects, officers also confiscated 82 units of cellphones of various brands and 47 units of computer devices that were used to commit crimes.”
The network is believed to be controlled by an individual who is believed to be in Cambodia, and known only by their initials VV.
Police Chief Adityajaya told reporters “These suspects have been operating since November 2023. They are in charge of searching for personal data of US foreigners via personal chat and fake links. They admitted that they were recruited with a job offer as a telemarketing, information from friend to friend.”
The cyber scammers were encouraged into their roles with the promises of a salary of USD 200 per month and a USD 1 commission for every viable data point they gathered from a potential victim. Each cyber scammer was paid in cryptocurrency.
Police Chief Adityajaya further explained, “From the results of the temporary examination, the operators were controlled by someone who was abroad so that further investigations continued to be carried out to uncover the involvement of foreign citizens in this case.”
The 38 individuals who have been arrested now face up to 12 years in prison if found guilty. They have each been charged with Article 35 of Article 51 paragraph (1) of Law Number 11 of 2008 as amended to Law Number 1 of 2024 concerning Information and Electronic Transactions Jo Article 55 of the Criminal Code.
Speaking at the press conference the Director of Cyber Polda Bali Kombes Pol Ranefli Dian Candra added “These Cambodian leaders recruit and train other operators. Although they are different offices, they are all one network. This network is connected with three countries, namely Cambodia as the center, America, and Indonesia.”
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While Bali Police have successfully arrested 38 individuals in connection with the Love Scam, the organized crime group is just one of many such groups on the internet who are operating similar schemes. All internet users are advised to regularly check in with the latest advice around online safety and scam alerts.
Australia’s eSafety Commissioner explains Catfishing is a cruel and embarrassing trick, but there are some things you can do to prevent it or stop the harm from getting worse.
eSafety added, “Look out for people who seem ‘too good to be true’ and other warning signs – like their online profile doesn’t really match the way they chat or act, they have a low friend count on social media or they want to get sexual very quickly.”
Another telltale move of online scammers is to move the conversation from one app to another quickly, as this can help reveal to the scammer the phone number, location, and other valuable data points as well as help to create a deeper sense of connection and familiarity with the potential victim.
Bali Hotels, Resorts, Guesthouses & Villas Must Report All Tourists To Immigration
Accommodation providers in Bali have been issued with updated guidance to help keep track of all foreigners on the island.
The move comes as Bali looks to crack down on foreigners who violate the conditions of their visas by working, running businesses, and even engaging in criminal activity. Moving forward, all accommodation providers in Bali will have to report all overnight guests to immigration.
Although all accommodation providers are supposed to keep a record of all overnight guests, and formally report all overnight guests to immigration, this has not always been the case.
The Head of the Singaraja Immigration Office, Hendra Setiawan has told the media about what is now expected of accommodation providers and the implications for tourists.
He confirmed that there will be legal consequences if accommodation providers do not report their guests to immigration. This applies to big hotels and resorts but is especially focused on smaller guesthouses, B&Bs, Airbnbs, private villas, and mid-term homestay accommodation rentals.
Setiawan told reporters that all accommodation providers must use the Foreigner Monitoring Application (APOA) and confirmed that he and his teams are conducting site visits and spot checks on accommodation providers in Buleleng Regency, Jembrana Regency, and Karangasem Regency.
Setiawan cited that the implementation of APOA is based on Law Number 6 of 2011 concerning Immigration and its amendments in Law Number 63 of 2024. Article 72 paragraphs (1) and (2) of the law states that the owner or manager of accommodation is required to provide information regarding foreign guests staying if requested by immigration officers.
He explained “We require hotels, guesthouses, and villas to report. So that foreign guests are detected by immigration. The goal is to detect the presence of foreigners. To find out whether their permits are overstayed, entered illegally or not.”
Adding “The current obstacle is collecting data in remote areas, it must be visited one by one. If the manager does not report, there are sanctions for the manager related to immigration crimes.”
Setiawan noted that the APOA has been in effect since 2024 but that a series of program updates were needed for the system to operate optimally. Now the system is working efficiently the grace period for accommodation hosts is over and all foreigners staying overnight must be added to the system.
In a press statement issued in March 2025 the Director of Immigration Supervision and Enforcement, Yuldi Yusman, confirmed that the APOA was fully operational.
Yusman explains “Immigration has the authority to request foreign data from hotels or other places that function as accommodation in this case we use APOA as the platform. The owner or manager of the inn just needs to register guests through this application, then the data can be accessed by the Immigration officer for surveillance purposes.”
Setiawan added that he and his teams are now working on mapping put all villas and guesthouses in the three regencies and told reporters “Now it is still being distributed to hotels and villas. Their enthusiasm (of accommodation managers) is already good.
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The data has been submitted to us. It’s just that those in remote areas must also be visited because our area reaches Jembrana and Karangasem.”
This also means that all foreigners in Bali must stay at legally registered accommodation businesses or with their social visa sponsors or family members, as stipulated in their visa applications.
Again, this has technically always been the case; however, until the implementation of these laws has been acknowledged to be inconsistent throughout Bali.
Moving forward tourists and foreigners in Bali can expect to have to show their passport and visa when checking into an accommodation or staying overnight at any premises on the island.
Tourists visiting Bali also have a responsibility to ensure that they are staying at legally registered accommodation, as it stipulated “Circular Letter (SE) No. 07 of 2025 concerning New Regulations for Foreign Tourists During Their Stay in Bali” – the policy update stated that tourists must “Stay in licensed accommodation and using official transportation services.”
The full updated list of Do’s and Don’t’s for Bali tourists can be found here.
All above articles are provided by “The Bali Sun“
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