Koster Urges TRAP Special Committee to Continue Monitoring Land Use Conversion in Bali
Bali Governor Wayan Koster has requested the Special Committee (Pansus) on Spatial Planning, Assets, and Permits (TRAP) of the Bali Provincial DPRD to continue monitoring the conversion of agricultural land on the Island of the Gods. Koster stated that the massive land use conversion poses a threat to food sovereignty in Bali.
“If not controlled, there will be increasing conversions of productive land. This will threaten food availability and hinder efforts to achieve food sovereignty,” Koster said during the 28th plenary session of the Bali Provincial DPRD on Wednesday (25/3/2026).
Koster claimed that the existence of the Bali DPRD’s Pansus TRAP has successfully overseen permitting and spatial planning for development in Bali. According to him, a joint scheme and movement are needed to control the conversion of productive land in Bali.
“For that reason, I strongly support and encourage the work of the Bali Provincial DPRD’s Pansus TRAP, the results of which are already very evident. Honestly, we now have a Pansus that truly shakes up Bali, with one target, focused, sincere, and straightforward,” added the PDIP politician.
Koster also revealed the shrinking area of rice fields in Bali. Over approximately eight years, he stated, the rice field area in Bali has decreased by around 3,000 hectares.
According to Koster, when he first led Bali in 2018, there were about 71,000 hectares of rice fields in Bali. However, the current rice field area is only 68,000 hectares. To maximise the existing land, Koster will accelerate the transformation to organic farming systems.
“We will accelerate the implementation of organic farming systems,” Koster said.
Nevertheless, Koster warned the Bali DPRD’s Pansus TRAP not to be tempted by bribes while carrying out their duties. “They must not succumb to any temptations, no sweet-talking or anything like that. I know there are many challenges, with people trying to bribe and all sorts of things,” he concluded.
As is known, Pansus TRAP was formed in mid-2025 to investigate alleged violations of spatial planning and permitting in Bali. This committee, chaired by I Made Supartha, frequently conducts surprise inspections, traces permit documents, and uncovers various indications of violations.
In addition, Pansus TRAP has formulated several recommendations for local governments as corrective steps regarding spatial planning issues. All results of these in-depth investigations are then submitted to the Bali Governor for further follow-up.
The term of the Bali DPRD’s Pansus TRAP was originally set to end in early March 2026. However, the Bali DPRD has decided to extend the committee’s tenure for another six months.