TABANAN, DEWATA.NEWS – Authorities have temporarily halted the construction of a villa owned by a Jakarta-based investor in Banjar Kebibil, Belalang Village, Kediri District, following findings of river setback violations and incomplete building permits.
The suspension was enforced by the Tabanan Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) on Friday (30 January) after receiving a recommendation from Commission I of the Tabanan Regional House of Representatives (DPRD). The decision followed a site inspection that identified multiple regulatory concerns.
The villa is being built along the Subak Galuh River, located near the boundary between Banjar Panti in Pandak Gede Village and Banjar Kebibil in Belalang Village. Lawmakers reported indications that the river channel has been narrowed, raising concerns about increased flood risks, as previously complained about by local residents.
Chair of DPRD Tabanan Commission I, I Gusti Nyoman Omardani, said the suspension was a direct response to community reports regarding alleged spatial planning and licensing violations.
“Based on our field inspection, this villa clearly violates river setback regulations. While the developer applied for spatial planning approval, the requirements were not met for a construction permit to be issued. Therefore, we recommended that Satpol PP stop all construction activities,” Omardani said.
He explained that under the Ministry of Public Works and Housing Regulation No. 28 of 2015, river areas outside urban zones with embankments must maintain a minimum setback of five meters from the outer edge of the embankment, while urban areas require at least three meters.
“Based on these rules, the building is clearly in violation because it was constructed directly along the embankment. It must be dismantled to restore the river to its original condition,” he added.
In addition to the villa project, lawmakers also highlighted plans to subdivide land on the eastern side of the project site, extending into the Pandak Gede area. The land is classified as Protected Rice Fields (LSD) and partially designated as Sustainable Food Agricultural Land (KP2B). Commission I has requested technical agencies, particularly the Public Works and Spatial Planning Office (PUPR), to conduct a comprehensive review to ensure compliance with spatial regulations.
“We support investment in Tabanan, but it must be lawful. We do not want this kind of violation to set a precedent. If the requirements are met, the project may continue. If not, it should not be forced,” Omardani emphasized.
Meanwhile, Pandak Gede Village head I Made Topik Wibawa stated that the village administration had never been formally informed about the construction of a connecting bridge from the Pandak Gede area. He said that during two separate village meetings, residents had clearly rejected the bridge proposal.
“After we coordinated and requested the work to be stopped, it continued two days later. From a spatial planning perspective, there was coordination with the river authority, but the community meetings resulted in a clear rejection, which has been officially documented,” he said.
Residents’ objections were also based on social and customary considerations, particularly concerns that activities could disrupt Nyepi observances, as the residential area is located far behind the main village zone.
On the other hand, a representative of the landowner, I Made Suda, said he welcomed the oversight and was open to making corrections.
“I appreciate this supervision. If improvements are needed, I am ready to make them. I admit there were information limitations, so not everything fully complied with the regulations,” he said.