TRAP Special Committee Temporarily Halts BTID Marina Project in Serangan

The Special Committee (Pansus) on Spatial Planning, Assets, and Permits (TRAP) of the Bali Provincial Council has temporarily halted the marina project operated by PT Bali Turtle Island Development (BTID) in the Kura-Kura Bali Special Economic Zone (KEK), Serangan, Denpasar.

“Today, we have decided on the temporary closure of the marina activities. There are documents that need to be completed. Additionally, the land swap, which we checked on-site, was not found and does not match expectations,” stated the Secretary of the TRAP Special Committee, I Dewa Nyoman Rai, at the Kura-Kura KEK site in Serangan on Thursday (23/4/2026).

This decision was taken based on the results of an on-site evaluation by the TRAP Special Committee team, which found alleged discrepancies between administrative documents, including the mangrove land swap process.

The suspension of BTID’s activities is temporary. Moving forward, BTID is required to complete the documents, which will be re-examined through a Hearing with Opinions (RDP) at the Bali Provincial Council to ensure compliance.

“We will test it in the RDP, comparing data with real facts on the ground. If the real facts are not found, what can be done? It’s impossible to start searching for them now,” Rai said.

The closure will remain in effect until BTID’s management can complete all documents and prove the legality of all their activities. The duration is flexible, depending on the readiness of the required documents.

“One week, one month, until they can obtain the permits as quickly as possible,” he added.

During the suspension period, all BTID activities will be monitored by the Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP). If any operational activities are still found, BTID will face sanctions.

“The Civil Service Police Unit will monitor it because it constitutes a criminal disruption under the Criminal Code, articles 232 or 211, which carry criminal penalties—do not take it lightly,” he stated.

Checking Reports on Mangroves

The TRAP Special Committee also investigated reports from residents of Serangan Village regarding alleged mangrove forest clearance in the coastal area. At the site, land previously covered with mangrove trees was observed to have been cleared and filled with sand. Residents also reported losing their daily livelihoods due to changes in the coastal conditions.

“Before, I used to catch prawns here; now the land has been taken again, making it even narrower,” said one resident of Serangan Village at the Kura-Kura KEK on Thursday.

Previously, residents had questioned workers about the activities at the site. “I asked who cleared this forest; they said it was from BTID,” said Suparta.

In response to these complaints, the Head of the TRAP Special Committee, I Made Suparta, appeared furious. According to him, mangrove land clearance cannot be justified as it will damage Bali’s environment.

“This is not right, sir; this is damaging Bali. Mangroves have an incredible function, sir,” Suparta said.

He emphasised that mangroves are vital for preventing abrasion and maintaining coastal ecosystems, and therefore, clearance is not permitted.

“The result of mangrove clearance can lead to abrasion, thus damaging our beaches,” he concluded.