The Foreign Tourist Levy (PWA) imposed by the Bali Provincial\nGovernment is assured to run transparently and free from corruption.\nBali Governor Wayan Koster also confirmed this while promoting a new\nfunding scheme amid limitations in Local Own-Source Revenue (PAD).<\/p>\n
\u201cWe only have a regional budget with very small PAD; the sources are\nthe same old ones, vehicle ownership tax, luxury goods sales tax on\nmotor vehicles. If we keep pushing that, there will be more cars and\nmore traffic jams. That\u2019s not a positive aspiration; we need another\nscheme,\u201d Koster said at the Ksirarnawa Art Centre in Denpasar on\nThursday (26\/3\/2026).<\/p>\n
Koster also revealed that regional revenue remains very limited and\nstill depends on certain sectors, including vehicle taxes. In this\nsituation, the PWA becomes one of the important steps by the Bali\nProvincial Government in supporting the protection of Bali\u2019s nature and\nculture.<\/p>\n
Since it was implemented on 14 February 2024, the number of tourists\nwho have paid has reached 2.1 million people or 32 per cent of the total\n6.3 million tourist visits to Bali. As a result, the Bali Provincial\nGovernment obtained Rp 318 billion, increasing to Rp 369 billion in\n2025.<\/p>\n
This amount was obtained from 2.4 million people or 35 per cent of\nthe total 7 million tourists arriving in Bali. Nevertheless, Koster said\nit is still not optimal. \u201cThis is not yet optimal, but I assure you\nthere is no corruption. Because the payment is digital,\u201d he\nexplained.<\/p>\n
Regarding allegations of PWA management irregularities on social\nmedia that directly impact a decline in the number of tourists paying\nthe levy. \u201cThe impact is immediately felt; the number paying PWA has\ndecreased in the last three months,\u201d he complained.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis must be explained to the public to counter the negative news.\nDon\u2019t let us be influenced by it,\u201d Koster added.<\/p>\n
Koster acknowledged that the PWA is good news for the Bali Provincial\nGovernment, even though the revenue is not yet optimal, but he said it\nshould not be questioned; it must still be appreciated, especially if\nsuspected.<\/p>\n
Despite obstacles, particularly from regulations that limit the\noptimisation of the levy, especially provisions in the law that are\nstill optional, not mandatory. Even regarding support, Koster said there\nis little support.<\/p>\n
However, the man from Buleleng assured that improvements and\ncoordination with the Minister of Law and Human Rights, the Ministry of\nImmigration, up to BPKP are continuously being carried out. Acceleration\nschemes are also being pursued, including audiences with the central\ngovernment to find the best solutions so that it can run optimally.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe can\u2019t rush, because the authority lies with other agencies. But\nwe continue our efforts,\u201d he explained. He also asked all his\nsubordinates to remain focused on working and not get trapped in public\npolemics.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur task is to work, work, work. Don\u2019t waste time dealing with\nsocial media. It is hoped that the PWA can increase and become a\nstrategic funding source in maintaining the sustainability of Bali\u2019s\ndevelopment,\u201d Koster concluded.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/koster-assures-no-corruption-in-foreign-tourist-levy-payments-are-digital-1774515085", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }