As reported by Detik, protests by farmers and business owners in Jatiluwih, Tabanan, Bali, continued this week following the temporary closure of several businesses operating within the subak rice field area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The dispute began after the Bali Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD) Special Committee for Spatial Planning and Land Conversion (Pansus TRAP) found spatial planning violations during an inspection of the area. The inspection resulted in the temporary closure of around 13 businesses located within the Jatiluwih subak.
The closures were carried out by the Bali Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) together with Pansus TRAP. Authorities said the businesses were operating in violation of spatial planning regulations in the protected agricultural zone.
The government later offered a rezoning option based on an earlier village agreement. Under the proposal, businesses would be allowed to operate within the rice fields under strict conditions.
Buildings would be limited to a maximum size of 3 by 6 metres, constructed using wood or bamboo, and permitted to sell only local food and beverages such as snacks and coffee.
However, business owners said no agreement had yet been reached. Agus Pamuji, representing the entrepreneurs, said discussions with authorities were still ongoing.
“We have been summoned by Satpol PP and also met with the Tabanan Regent this morning, but no decision has been reached,” Agus said.
When asked about concerns that uncontrolled development could threaten Jatiluwih’s UNESCO World Cultural Heritage status, Agus said the matter should be decided by the local community.
“As far as I know, tourists to Jatiluwih do not know it is a World Cultural Heritage site,” he said. “Most of them know the views are beautiful, and only later realise it has the UNESCO label.”
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Zinc Sheet Protest Affects Tourism, Visits Drop by 20 Percent
In response to the closures, farmers and business owners installed zinc sheets and stretched black plastic across sections of the rice fields as a form of protest. The action was intended to draw attention to their objections to the government’s decision.
“So we installed zinc to disrupt the view,” Agus said, adding that restaurants and small businesses were part of the supporting facilities for tourism in Jatiluwih.
The owner of Warung Wayan Jatiluwih, I Wayan Subadra, said around 30 sheets of corrugated iron were installed in the rice fields on Friday (5 December 2025). He said more materials were on the way.
“There are 65 additional corrugated iron sheets delivered, and tomorrow they will be installed,” Subadra said when contacted by detikBali. “We will discuss the installation location later.”
Subadra said about 30 farmers took part in the protest, with some of the materials supplied by fellow restaurant owners. He said the action was not intended to cause damage, but to encourage dialogue with the authorities.
“This is not just a protest,” he said. “We sincerely hope to meet with the government to find the best solution regarding land use in the agricultural area.”
“We want new regulations to prevent problems like this from happening again,” Subadra added.
Meanwhile, agricultural observer I Made Sarjana from Udayana University urged the Bali Provincial Government to establish a dedicated World Cultural Heritage (WBD) Management Agency. He said there was no comprehensive master plan regulating tourism accommodation development within the Jatiluwih subak area.
Sarjana said development in the area had occurred without clear direction and depended on individual landowners. He added that this had led to inconsistent building standards and neglect of the landscape that should be preserved.
The protest has had a direct impact on tourism. Radar Buleleng reported a sharp decline in visitor numbers to the Jatiluwih Tourist Attraction (DTW) since the zinc sheets were installed.
Jatiluwih DTW Operations Manager I Ketut Jhon Purna said tourist visits had dropped by around 20 percent per day.
“Guests and travel agencies already believe that conditions in Jatiluwih are unsafe. They are not in good condition,” he said. “So, tourist visits were cancelled.”
He said visitor numbers had fallen from an average of 700 people per day during the low season to between 150 and 200 since the protest began.
Jhon Purna urged the public not to be influenced by misinformation.
“I do not understand why the issue has turned into rumours about landslides in the subak,” he said.
