A lecturer from Bali’s Udayana University (UNUD) teamed up with social researchers this Tuesday to present their findings on the public perception of the plan for reclamation in Benoa Bay.
In a public opinion survey, it was found as much as 65 percent of Bali’s Badung regency disagrees with the reclamation of Benoa Bay—the proposed development megaprojects backed by deep-pocketed investors. The study was conducted from September 15 to 24 with as many as 430 respondents spread over 35 villages across Badung, reports Tribun Bali.
Kadek Dwita Apriani, the UNUD lecturer, says a policy with this much disapproval shouldn’t be overlooked. “I was surprised by the results of this study. When more than 50 percent of respondents who live in the object area disapprove, it should be taken seriously. It is a big problem,” Apriani told Tribun.
She also stressed the level of confidence in the results of this survey is 95 percent. She also told Tribun Bali that this research is quantitative, not qualitative, so it does not reach the entrance to question the reasons why people do not agree, and what are the reasons nine percent agreed, along with the 27 percent of respondents did not answer. But that did not stop her from assessing and interpreting the results.
Apriani says it was expected for young people to back Benoa Bay’s reclamation plan, because the plan is supposed to create a lot of jobs for young people in Bali. However, based on the results of the survey, more than 50 percent of people of childbearing age rejected the reclamation plan.
“Three main problems were revealed, namely infrastructure, environment, and employment. Well, they are assessing employment as a problem, they do not agree with the reclamation. The percentage is even up 76.6 percent,” Apriani said.
Given these findings, Apriani believes the government’s argument that Benoa Bay reclamation will provide a lot of jobs is not included in the public logic.
Photo: UNUD
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