Badung's Multi-Pronged Approach to Tourist Comfort: Crackdown on Beggars and Rogue Ride-Hailing
The Badung Regency Government is set to tighten surveillance in tourist areas following a rise in public order disturbances, including the presence of aggressive beggars (gepeng) and unlicensed transport operators. Bupati I Wayan Adi Arnawa stated that regular raids and joint patrols with the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI) and National Police (Polri) will be conducted at various traffic intersections and hotspots to mitigate the negative impact on tourist safety and comfort. “The handling of social issues such as beggars, ‘silver men’, and rogue online transport has been addressed through routine raids at crossroads. We hold periodic justice operations and joint patrols with the TNI-Polri, including coordinating with the Bali Provincial Government regarding app-based transport regulations,” Adi said during the delivery of the government’s response to the 2025 APBD accountability bylaw at the Badung DPRD on Tuesday (21/7/2026).
Efforts to reorganise tourist areas are also a key focus, targeting beach cleanliness and tangled utility cables. The Badung Regency Government has deployed heavy equipment for waste transport and is relocating utilities underground. “For area management, we are implementing a beautification concept by lowering utility cables on several road sections and arranging shade gardens. As for beach waste, we have allocated a budget for waste transport facilities to ensure rapid cleaning,” Adi emphasised.
Beyond public order, the enhancement of public facilities in tourism and residential areas will continue. The regency is prioritising the construction of new road networks and flood mitigation at critical points. “This step is important to improve the quality of public infrastructure in tourism areas and residential areas. We are handling flooding in the Dewi Sri and Kunti areas by normalising the Tukad Mati river along a 7-kilometre stretch and improving drainage,” Adi explained. He further detailed that flood control at the river mouth is being prepared using high-capacity water disposal technology, specifically a pump with a capacity of 30,000 litres per second, to protect the Kuta tourist area from inundation. The regency is also prioritising road repairs and upgrades in the South Kuta, Kuta, and North Kuta districts.
The resolution of these issues is claimed to be in line with the commitment to improving governance. The Badung Regency Government noted that the majority of regional financial audit recommendations have been completed. “We are committed to resolving every note and recommendation provided by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) regarding the regional government’s financial reports. From the second semester audit results of 2025, we have completed 1,376 recommendations, or approximately 96.83 percent,” Adi concluded.