Deputy Minister of Public Works: Beach embankments in Bali must not be handled independently

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Deputy Minister of Public Works (Wamen PU) Diana Kusumastuti hopes that there will be no more independent handling of embankments by hotels or certain parties in Bali’s coastal areas. The Ministry of Public Works emphasises the importance of order in coastal area management. “In the future, there should be no more independent embankment handling by hotels or certain parties. This would certainly lead to exclusive control over the surrounding beach areas. Bali’s beaches must be protected as communal spaces and as a protection system for the region,” she said during a Working Meeting (Raker) with Commission V of the Indonesian House of Representatives in Jakarta on Wednesday. One issue affecting Bali’s coastal areas is beach abrasion. Extreme rain events due to tropical cyclones and high waves in recent years have increased disaster risks, particularly flooding and abrasion. Integrated efforts are needed for coastal protection and control, requiring around Rp4 trillion to complete the protection of all eroded beaches in Bali. Currently, the Bali Beach Conservation Project is underway, with Package 1 valued at Rp518.27 billion from November 2024 to November 2027 in Candidasa Beach, Package 2 at Rp267.65 billion starting in November 2026 in Kuta-Legian-Seminyak Beach, and consultant costs of Rp160 billion from January 2021 to December 2026. “The type of coastal protection construction is revetment with armour stone or boulder arrangements, equipped with a walkway or footpath,” she explained.