Investors have relaunched legal action towards the Bali Government after initial case dismissal over the Kelingking Beach glass elevator project, as debate continues over the project’s environmental impact as well as the future of tourism development in Nusa Penida.
Investors behind the construction of a glass elevator on the cliffs of Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida, Bali, have once again sued the Bali Provincial Government. The legal dispute arose after the government instructed the investors to demolish the project.
“There is another new lawsuit. They filed it after the previous one was withdrawn, as its legal standing was problematic during the dismissal process,” said Ngurah Satria Wardana, the Head of the Legal Bureau of the Bali Provincial Secretariat, on Wednesday, the 15th of April.
Wardana explained that in the initial lawsuit, a formal examination of the plaintiff, PT Indonesia Kaishi Tourism Property Investment Development Group, was conducted. However, the State Administrative Court (Pengadilan Tata Usaha Negara or PTUN) ruled that it did not meet the necessary legal requirements. One key issue concerned the validity of the power of attorney, which had not been signed by an authorised director—in this case, the Chinese investor. This was deemed an administrative flaw, leading to the withdrawal of the lawsuit within one week.
“During that process, to ensure that the object of the dispute was properly documented, a formal decision letter was obtained. Upon review, it was found that the plaintiff’s power of attorney had not been signed by an authorised legal representative,” he said.
One week after the initial lawsuit failed, PT Indonesia Kaishi Tourism Property Investment Development Group filed a new case against the Bali Provincial Government. With this renewed legal action, the investigation process will begin again from the start. Wardana stated that the provincial government remains prepared to follow the legal process and present the necessary evidence.
The glass elevator construction project has drawn controversy due to its connection to issues surrounding tourist access, environmental protection, and tourism governance. Some have supported the project, arguing that the elevator would improve access to the beach—which can currently only be reached via a steep and potentially dangerous path—and could assist in emergency evacuations. Others, however, have opposed it, arguing that it would compromise the authenticity of the iconic Kelingking landscape, known for its natural cliffs free from modern structures, and raise concerns about potential disruption to the cliff ecosystem and coastal area.
The Bali Provincial Government has highlighted the project’s alleged violations of spatial planning regulations and permit requirements within conservation areas. This has fuelled a broader debate over the future direction of Bali’s tourism development, particularly the balance between modernising infrastructure and preserving its natural and cultural heritage.