Gunungkidul authorities address tourist complaints of alleged extortion at Watulawang Beach

The Gunungkidul Regency Tourism, Creative Economy, Youth and Sports Department in the Special Region of Yogyakarta is addressing tourist complaints about alleged extortion at Watulawang Beach in Tepus. A viral video showed tourists being asked for voluntary payments upon entering the beach area. Hary Sukmono, head of the department, confirmed receipt of the reports and stated that the incidents had occurred repeatedly. ‘We have coordinated with Satpol PP Gunungkidul,’ Hary said in a phone interview on Monday, 1 June 2026. He added that the department is in communication with the Tepus village head and will visit the site today. ‘Satpol PP and the department will visit the location,’ he said. Nanang Putranto, head of the Destination Development Bureau at the Gunungkidul Tourism, Creative Economy, Youth and Sports Department, stated that a WhatsApp hotline (085138792194) has been established for tourist complaints.