President Prabowo Subianto Criticizes Bali’s Authorities Over Dirty Beaches, Calls for Joint Cleanup Efforts
Sentul, West Java – February 13, 2026
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has openly condemned the poor cleanliness conditions on Bali’s beaches, warning that the accumulation of trash on the island’s famed coastlines threatens to deter tourists from visiting one of Indonesia’s premier travel destinations.
President’s Concern Over Beach Pollution
Addressing a National Coordinating Meeting of Central and Regional Governments held in Sentul, West Java, on February 2, President Prabowo expressed deep concern about the state of Bali’s environment. He reported receiving direct complaints from senior Indonesian officials and a visiting South Korean general, who expressed disappointment over the degraded condition of the beaches.
“Do tourists want to come and see trash? Indonesia is beautiful. Who wants to see a dirty slum? Do they want to come to Bali?” President Prabowo asked, displaying a large image of a litter-strewn beach as evidence. The President shared an anecdote mimicking South Korean dignitaries who bluntly told him, “Your Excellency, I just came from Bali. It is so dirty. Bali is not nice!”
He stressed that the cleanliness of tourist destinations like Bali is fundamental to their international image and economic vitality. “Bali’s innate beauty has been besmirched by piles of trash not being handled properly,” he lamented. Addressing local leaders directly, Prabowo challenged them: “Why would tourists want to visit there?”
Call for Cooperative Actions to Restore Cleanliness
In response, President Prabowo proposed a collaborative cleanup program involving schoolchildren, local governments, the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (POLRI), and state enterprises. He encouraged regular beach cleanups, perhaps every Friday and Saturday, to foster community ownership of Bali’s beaches.
“These are our beaches – our front yards. Let’s join efforts and clean the beaches,” he urged.
Police and Local Government Engage in Beach Cleanups
Following the President’s directive, various police departments in Bali have mobilized personnel for beach cleanup activities. On February 4, police units in East Denpasar gathered at Pantai Galak Beach, where 74 officers, including Mobile Brigade members, distributed trash bags and collected litter. Trucks provided by Denpasar’s Environment and Cleanliness Service later removed the garbage.
East Denpasar Police Chief Commissioner I Ketut Tomiyasa highlighted the initiative as essential for preserving the coastline, noting the beach’s significance for fishing and religious ceremonies.
Similarly, the Badung and Mengwi Police forces conducted cleanup operations at Pererenan Beach, with personnel combing the shore to collect trash washed ashore by recent strong winds and seasonal rains. Mengwi Police Chief Commissioner Anak Agung Gede Rai Darmayasa affirmed these actions as direct responses to presidential instructions and pledged continued efforts to maintain beach cleanliness.
The Bali Police Public Relations Chief Senior Commissioner Ariasandy added that cleanup activities are being conducted simultaneously across multiple police districts and will continue regularly while beach litter remains a concern.
Plans for Strengthened Waste Management Systems
On the governmental front, IB Gede Arjana, Assistant for Economic Affairs and Development at the Badung Regional Secretariat, welcomed the Bali Governor’s plan to form a Beach Waste Management Task Force. The task force aims to enhance monitoring, control, and sustainable management of beach waste, augmenting the existing efforts of nearly 300 technical personnel currently engaged in waste cleanup across Badung.
Arjana acknowledged the large volume of waste challenges the current capacity, pointing out that debris originates not only from Bali but also from other regions, carried by ocean currents.
A Call for Community Participation
Authorities emphasized that the cleanup programs are not only practical measures but also efforts to raise public awareness about environmental responsibility. Officials called on Balinese residents and visitors alike to refrain from littering and help preserve Bali’s reputation as a world-class tourist destination.
As President Prabowo’s remarks and the subsequent cleanup campaigns demonstrate, maintaining the pristine condition of Bali’s beaches is now a priority across all levels of government and society, with coordinated efforts underway to restore the island’s natural beauty and protect its vital tourism industry.
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