Bali High Prosecutor's Office Awaits Attorney General Co-ordination on 671 Billion Rupiah Foreign Tourist Levy
The Head of the Legal Information Section of the Bali High Prosecutor’s Office (Kejati), I Gede Wiraguna Wiradarma, stated that his office respects the Attorney General’s Office efforts in investigating alleged misuse of authority in managing the Foreign Tourist Levy (PWA) funds valued at 671 billion rupiah in Bali. To date, the Bali High Prosecutor’s Office is merely awaiting co-ordination if required.
“This investigation process is still ongoing, and authority rests with the central level. In principle, we respect the current process,” he said when contacted by telephone on Friday, 13 March 2026.
In law enforcement practice, co-ordination between the Attorney General’s Office and regional prosecutors is a common occurrence, particularly when the clarification process concerns policies or programmes implemented by regional governments.
“If further co-ordination is needed later, we will assist in gathering data in the region,” he added.
To date, the clarification process is ongoing and various parties have been asked to await the results of the in-depth investigation conducted by central-level institutions.
Regional prosecutors typically assist in providing information or documents required, without assuming authority for case handling at the central level, Wira explained.
The Attorney General’s Office’s clarification effort is also viewed as part of the oversight mechanism for public financial management. Through this process, it is hoped that the management of funds derived from foreign tourist levies can proceed transparently, accountably, and in accordance with applicable legal regulations.
Meanwhile, the regional government previously stated that PWA funds were designated for various programmes related to cultural preservation, environmental protection, and strengthening Bali’s tourism quality. The levy policy itself is one instrument designed to support sustainable tourism on the Island of the Gods, whilst maintaining balance between tourism activities and the preservation of local cultural values.
“Thus, the process currently underway at the Attorney General’s Office is understood as part of efforts to ensure that the implementation of this policy proceeds in accordance with its original purpose,” Wira clarified.
As previously reported, the Attorney General’s Office began investigating the management of PWA funds in Bali, valued at hundreds of billions of rupiah. The investigation is being conducted through a clarification process requesting documents and statements from several officials in the Bali Provincial Government.
The request for statements was reportedly sent on 9 March 2026 to the Bali Provincial Civil Servant Police Unit (Satpol PP), one of the agencies involved in implementing and overseeing the foreign tourist levy policy.
Since the PWA regulations in Bali began to be enforced, the Bali Provincial Satpol PP has played a role in overseeing implementation of the foreign tourist levy policy in the field. Though not involved in fund management or utilisation, Satpol PP is tasked with enforcing regional regulations and ensuring foreign tourists comply with payment obligations for the levy.