Bali DPRD Recommends Demolition of Villas in Pejarakan Forest

The Special Committee (Pansus) on Spatial Planning, Assets, and Permits (TRAP) of the Bali DPRD recommends the closure and demolition of villa buildings in the forest area of Pejarakan Village, Gerokgak Subdistrict, Buleleng. Several buildings in that forest area are known to lack permits and violate spatial planning rules.

This was revealed during a joint meeting held in the Buleleng DPRD Meeting Room on Friday (27/3/2026). The meeting involved the North Bali Forest Management Unit (KPH), subdistrict and village governments, the Village Forest Management Institution (LPHD), the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), and technical regional agencies such as the Public Works Department and the Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services Agency (DPMPTSP) of Buleleng.

“We have been to the field from the start. Indeed, there are several buildings that have no permits at all,” said the Chairman of Commission I of the Bali DPRD, I Nyoman Budiutama, in a statement received by detikBali on Friday.

Budiutama explained that oversight of the forest area in Pejarakan Village has been ongoing since October 2025. The Pansus TRAP of the Bali DPRD has installed Satpol PP police lines and temporarily halted activities at the site.

In addition to violating spatial planning rules, Budiutama stated that the villa buildings are also constructed on land that is not a legitimate asset of the investors. “Based on the letter from the Ministry of Forestry, it is clearly a violation. The conclusion is that the concrete buildings must be closed and demolished,” he emphasised.

Based on preliminary investigations, the owners of the villa buildings in the Pejarakan Village forest area are listed under local residents. However, the council suspects nominee practices, which are currently being investigated further.

The Chairman of Pansus TRAP, Made Supartha, stressed that the 700-hectare forest area in Pejarakan Village must be protected from land use changes that violate regulations. He asked the Satpol PP to investigate the financial capacity of the registered owners, including the possibility of behind-the-scenes agreements.

“If not protected, this could lead to environmental damage and threats of climate crisis,” said Supartha.

The Bali DPRD also highlighted the lack of field supervision. The forest area is only guarded by one forest police officer (polhut). The Bali DPRD plans to gather all LPHDs to strengthen supervision and encourage legal utilisation of the forest area.

“We request additional personnel for maximum supervision, including preventing timber theft which was also uncovered in the meeting,” said Supartha.