Indonesia Issues Moratorium on Bali Construction

Indonesia has announced a moratorium on the construction of hotels, villas, and nightclubs in Bali to address issues of over-development and preserve the island's cultural heritage. The moratorium is set to last up to 10 years, as proposed by interim governor Sang Made Mahendra Jaya, who highlighted the need to curb commercial developments in busy tourist areas. This initiative aims to improve tourism quality and create job opportunities, especially as foreign tourist arrivals surged to 2.9 million in the first half of the year. The decision comes amid rising concerns about crime and overcrowding linked to the influx of approximately 200,000 foreigners living in Bali. Videos of disruptive tourist behavior have drawn criticism from locals, further emphasizing the urgency for reform. The proposal has been positively received by the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime and Investment Affairs.