The crown jewel of Bali, Uluwatu. Photo: Steven Wilcox//Unsplash
Videos have flooded social media over the past week of excavators literally throwing the cliffs of Uluwatu into the ocean. Surfers from all around the world who enjoy visiting the famed Balinese point have been watching in horror as one of their favorite waves comes under threat. The invasive construction project caught nearly everyone off guard, leading the people of Uluwatu to frantically search for an explanation.
The reason behind the construction is a USD $5 million project to stabilize the cracked cliff that supports the historic Uluwatu temple by building a coastal road and seawall at the cliff base. No environmental impact study has been released to the public. Save the Waves put out a press release expressing “alarm at the potential environmental risks (the) project may pose to Uluwatu’s fragile marine ecosystem” and fear that the project “might impact the quality of the waves.”
Having spent two months enjoying the world-class lefts of Uluwatu myself, I was also shocked by the videos. To get a pulse of the commotion on the Island of the Gods, I went straight to the source, calling up local Indonesian surfer Piter Panjaitan. Having lived in Bali for 24 years, Panjaitan was as caught off guard as anyone when he saw the demolition. He’s been posting regular updates on social media to share news and has even confronted the construction workers. He explained to me how things are playing out on the ground.
When did you first hear about the cliff situation?
Roughly two weeks ago. I was surfing with my son in Uluwatu, but I didn’t see anything at the time because we surfed in the morning. Then in the afternoon when the excavators reached the cliff, that’s when everybody found out that there was a project there.
How did they keep it a secret for so long without the locals knowing?
That’s the point. That’s what we don’t understand. Even some of the local officials from the village of Pecatu didn’t know what was going on. There was no (local consultation) for the project.
Do you think they have some ulterior motive to keep it secret? Why didn’t they tell or consult with the locals?
Well, I don’t know. I don’t want to make assumptions. I am just speaking facts now. According to the officials, they have already made a deal. So basically, the project tender happened between April and July. It was won by a company in Java, not in Bali. In July it was approved and then in August they already started working. They started (digging) from the entrance of the Uluwatu Temple and then reached the cliff about two weeks ago.
What are the locals doing? Are you organizing to oppose the project?
I’m actually speaking with all the locals right now. I’m with Mega Semadhi. There is a meeting tomorrow afternoon at 6 p.m. (Thursday) about this problem with a lot of elders, people connected with the surf community, and also with the temple. They invited me to be there.
What do you hope to accomplish at the meeting?
Clarification. Why isn’t (the project) socialized in the community? What is the plan? Where is the feasibility study? How is the ecosystem affected? How will the surf community be affected?
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You posted a video talking with the construction workers. What were you saying to them?
That was on Sunday. I had just had enough. I went there at 9 a.m. and asked for the project manager and the site manager because they were throwing all of the limestone into the ocean. I told them to stop. The limestone was drifting towards Uluwatu, Impossibles, Bingin, and Dreamland.
What did they say?
They said they’re going to stop. They’ve stopped throwing all of the limestone into the ocean since that Sunday. Obviously there was no supervision. In Indonesia, there should be a consultant that supervises any environmental problems (on a construction site). When I talked to them at 9 a.m. the project manager and the site manager weren’t there, only an assistant. So it’s a messed up situation. If you think about it logically, those (managers) should be there all the time.
Do you think the government realizes the impact changing the wave could have on the island and tourism?
I don’t know what they’re thinking to be honest, but in terms of feasibility studies, I’m pretty sure they already understand that. Surely there is an expert that told them what’s going to happen. That’s my assumption. But let’s speak facts. The fact is the officials in Pecatu, the Regency, and the province already approved it. The priests who handle Uluwatu temple also already sanctioned it. But I don’t know if the government actually laid out the argument and the feasibility studies for the officials in the village. That’s why we need clarification.
What do you think would be the worst-case scenario for the wave if they go through with the project?
I don’t know the exact plan, but from what I heard the road is going to be six meters wide with a seawall. Is it going to affect the shape of the wave? I am no expert, but I think so. It’s right below Secrets. Is it going to wreck the marine life? Of course it will because there are sharks, turtles, and dugongs over there. There is a shark breeding cave just below the temple, where they were throwing all the limestone. It’s a complicated situation.
What’s the overall sentiment in the village and surf community?
In my circle, everyone is opposed to it. I haven’t met any person who actually agrees with it. On that Sunday the water was so white because of the limestone. I talked to some of the surf coaches and their students didn’t want to surf Uluwatu. Those who did said they got itchy skin and sore eyes. Those days when all of the water was milky white, it was very quiet in town. It’s already affected the people who have business over there – the shops, the restaurants, the photographers, the videographers, the surf coaches. People who go to the temple, yes, they generate a lot of money, but they only go to the temple for one day. The surfers actually stay here. It’s a big part of the economy and income for the village and also the entire province of Bali itself.
What’s the message that you want to send to everybody who’s watching the situation from abroad?
Share it. At this moment, that’s all we can do. Just share it. Expose it. It’s important to preserve the temple, which is 1,000 years old. The temple is heritage for us. It’s heritage for the Balinese and for Hinduism. I don’t want to be selfish just because we lost one wave. But it’s not just about one wave. It’s about the marine life and the people who live off the surf community and culture. That’s the biggest part of it. Hopefully we can make a reason for the government to re-evaluate how to fix the temple without wrecking nature.
