Gunungkidul Urged Not to Become Like Bali, Here's What Sultan HB X Said

Jakarta - Yogyakarta Special Region (DIY) Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwono (HB) X responded to a statement by DIY Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Chairwoman GKR Mangkubumi, who emphasized that development in Gunungkidul should not be modeled after Bali. Sultan said Yogyakarta and Bali are indeed different and need not be compared.

“We don’t need to be compared with Bali. Yogyakarta and Bali are indeed different,” Sultan told reporters after attending the inauguration of regency/city Kadin boards across DIY, as reported by detikJogja on Sunday (2/15/2026).

According to the Sultan, the differences between Yogyakarta and Bali are already evident from their culture. He emphasized that Yogyakarta’s culture must be upheld and continuously preserved.

“Yes, it’s a tourism city, but the culture of the people is indeed different. So there’s no need to make comparisons. Yogyakarta is for Yogyakarta itself,” he said.

Sultan also welcomed investors who wish to invest in DIY. “That’s up to the investors, whether they want to invest in the tourism sector or not,” he said.

GKR Mangkubumi had previously reminded that development in Gunungkidul must maintain Yogyakarta’s identity. Mangkubumi stressed that Gunungkidul must not be made to look like Bali.

“Many investors have expressed that development in Gunungkidul should be made like Bali,” GKR Mangkubumi said while attending the Gunungkidul Regency Kadin Congress in Wonosari, Gunungkidul, on Monday (2/9).

For that reason, Mangkubumi emphasized to the Gunungkidul Kadin board the importance of preserving the region’s identity in carrying out development. Mangkubumi acknowledged that investment is flowing heavily into Gunungkidul, but development must remain aligned with the region’s vision and mission.

“And I always say, we are Yogyakarta, not Bali,” she said.

Additionally, Mangkubumi reminded of the importance of complying with spatial planning regulations, such as coastal setback zones.

“Also, choosing industries that are environmentally friendly and do not damage nature,” she said.