Candidasa Five Star Hotel Development Cancelled

Bali Governor Dewa Made Beratha finally took a firm action with regard to development of a new five star hotel in Padang Bai. His 188-34/4518/Hk. letter instructed the Regent of Karangasem to withdraw regency regulation no. 1/2008. The regulation in subject was actually alteration to existing regulations in attempt to let development of a five star hotel in Padangbai to commence. In the letter dated June 30th 2008 the Governor declared that the regency regulation in subject violated national regulation UU No. 26/2007 and the regency’s own regulation No. 11/2000.

The Head of Public Relation of The Regent’s Office Komang Agus Sukasena informed that the Regent has so far never brought the issue into account as so far he was spending most of his time in Jakarta. On the other hand in the construction field the main house of the new resort hotel has been constructed and some tens of bungalows will soon to follow.

Vice Chairman of related commission in the regency’s House of Representatives IB Mahadewa told that the Regent’s action has been criticized for quite a while and he was thankful that the Governor finally took the right action.

In attempt to give a way for South Korean investor to build a new five star resort hotel located in Mimba Hill, south of Padang Bai harbor, the Regent of Karangasem has issued a special alteration to existing regulation on master plan of Candidasa tourism area. The Regent changed Mimba Hill which previously plotted as protected green farming area into exclusive tourism development area. The construction flatten the hill, cut down a lot of soaring trees, and moved the material to neighboring village.