Things have been relatively quiet about Bali’s biggest environment protest movement, Tolak Reklamasi, but local residents are bringing the issue of Benoa Bay’s controversial reclamation back to the attention of President Joko Widodo.
The Benoa reclamation would have developers build an artificial island fully equipped with hotels, various tourist attractions, and even an F1 track.
A total of 12 villages from Kuta sent a letter about the reclamation to Jokowi on Sunday morning. But will the president finally actually address this issue? That, we’ll have to wait and see about.
Tolak Reklamasi action coordinator Nyoman Graha Wicaksana says his residents have gone over the negative and positive impacts the stalemated reclamation would have on the community.
“There are more negative impacts, like on the economy of South Badung, because if it’s realized, there will be more buildings and new hotels. It would make Badung increasingly crowded and chaotic,” Wicaksana told Tribun Bali.
Furthermore, ForBali Tolak Reklamasi campaign coordinator Wayan Gendo Suardana said this movement should carry weight because it includes the voice of all the stakeholders, the local community members.
But not everyone appears to be so confidently against the reclamation.
The traditional village committee of Kuta will soon hold sort of town hall meetings to further discuss their positions on the reclamation, village official Wayan Swarsa told Tribun.
