Denpasar Mayor Calls for Strengthened Harmony and Development Collaboration on City's 238th Anniversary
Denpasar’s 238th anniversary celebration took place in an atmosphere of enthusiasm and togetherness, with a flag-raising ceremony at Lapangan Lumintang on Friday, 27 February, serving as a moment for reflection on the city’s long development journey and reinforcement of commitment to achieving harmony and shared prosperity.
Denpasar Mayor I Gusti Ngurah Jaya Negara served as ceremony inspector, with the theme “Samasta Bhuwana Jagadhita (Denpasar Harmony Achieving Shared Prosperity)”. The ceremony began with a brief history of Denpasar, followed by a performance of the Mars Puraddhipa Bhara Bhavana by the Gita Nayara choir, a salute to regional symbols, and the raising of the Indonesian flag.
Attending the occasion were Deputy Mayor I Kadek Agus Arya Wibawa, City Council Chairman I Gusti Ngurah Gede, City Secretary I Gusti Ngurah Eddy Mulya, the city’s Forkompinda leadership, and numerous invited guests including religious leaders, cultural figures, and academics.
During the ceremony, Mayor Jaya Negara awarded Satya Lencana Karya Satya medals to civil servants who have served for 10, 20, and 30 years, symbolising appreciation for their dedication and loyalty in providing excellent public service. The city also presented the 2025 Ombudsman Opinion Assessment award for public service maladministration and the 2025 Self-Monitoring and Evaluation award for public service performance implementation with a Parama Budaya rating.
In the cultural sphere, Denpasar municipal government bestowed Parama Budaya awards on two late cultural figures: I Made Kembar (master puppeteer) and Drs. I Gusti Putu Rai Andayana (cultural figure). Kerti Budaya awards were also given to numerous gamelan, dance, and visual arts artists for their contributions to preserving Balinese cultural arts.
In Governor I Wayan Koster’s message, read by Mayor Jaya Negara, the city’s 238th anniversary was emphasised as an important link in Denpasar’s journey as Bali’s capital city, continuing to grow as a culture-based creative city. The anniversary was expected to serve as a moment for evaluation and strengthening commitment in all areas of duty and service.
The 2025–2030 development period represents the initial phase of implementing the Future Bali Development Direction, encompassing 100 Years of Bali’s New Era 2025–2125. The success of this initial phase will form an important foundation for sustaining Balinese civilisation going forward.
Denpasar’s development direction aligns with the vision of Nangun Sat Kerthi Loka Bali through Planned Universal Development Pattern based on Tri Hita Karana values and Sad Kerthi principles. Strategic priorities include strengthening digital-based governance, controlling land conversion, source-based waste management, quality and sustainable tourism development, environmentally friendly public transport, and strengthening public safety through cross-sectoral synergy.
Mayor Jaya Negara emphasised that Bali’s governor had highlighted governance, waste, infrastructure, and public order and security as key concerns. For 2026, one of the primary priorities is resolving waste problems at source. The Waste-to-Electricity Generation Programme is expected to operate optimally in Denpasar as part of a sustainable solution.
According to Jaya Negara, all development efforts will succeed only with collaboration among all societal elements, from government and traditional villages to religious leaders, academics, and the business sector. The spirit of mutual cooperation and communal harmony remains the primary strength in maintaining environmental and social harmony.
“Happy 238th birthday to Denpasar City. May Denpasar become increasingly harmonious, prosperous, and just,” the mayor concluded.