Tangled Cables Cracked Down On, Stubborn Providers in Badung Face Rp 50 Million Fine
The Badung Regency Government (Pemkab Badung) is no longer tolerating tangled cables that damage the appearance of tourist areas. Providers who continue to defy orders are now targeted with strict sanctions in the form of fines up to Rp 50 million or imprisonment for six months.
“This activity has been carried out since last year, and several areas have already been straightened out. In line with the directives from the regent and deputy regent to accelerate the tidying of tangled utility networks in Badung, this activity takes place twice a month,” said the Head of Road Infrastructure at the Badung Public Works and Public Housing Department (Dinas PUPR), I Putu Teddy Widnyana Putra, when met on Jalan Raya Basangkasa, Kerobokan, Badung, on Friday (24/4/2026).
The latest crackdown targeted the stretch of Jalan Raya Seminyak, from the Basangkasa area, Jalan Kayu Aya Kerobokan Kelod to Legian. The arrangement of telecommunications cables is being done in stages, prioritising areas that already have underground utility networks.
“In addition to preserving aesthetics, this is to ensure the safety of pedestrians along Jalan Raya Basangkasa. We are doing this for the comfort of the community and tourists,” Teddy explained.
This firm step is being taken because cable owners are deemed slow to utilise the underground facilities (u-gutter) provided by the government beneath the pavements. The Badung Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) emphasised that the tolerance period has ended.
“If after today’s crackdown the (providers) are still stubborn, we will lower their cables and impose light criminal sanctions on the providers. The sanctions include fines up to Rp 50 million or imprisonment for a maximum of six months,” asserted the Head of Satpol PP Badung, IGAK Suryanegara.
According to Suryanegara, this enforcement action serves as a stern warning to telecommunications entrepreneurs to comply with spatial planning regulations. The government wants to ensure that the built infrastructure is not wasted.
“After Pemkab Badung provided facilities for providers to move cables under the pavements, cables still found installed above were discovered. For such violations, the providers will be subject to light criminal sanctions,” he stated.
Support comes from local community figures who have long been frustrated with the increasing number of poles and cables. Residents hope the crackdown will be consistent, not just a one-off action.
“Hopefully in the future Badung can be free from tangled cables and proliferating poles. Hopefully it’s not just ceremonial and this activity is carried out routinely,” said the Basangkasa Community Leader, I Wayan Gde Budi Indrawan.
The activity was also attended by Dodi Simanjuntak from APJATEL, as well as officials from Kuta Subdistrict and Seminyak Village. The presence of various parties underscores the collective commitment to resolving the issue of tangled cables in the tourism area.