Bali Government Faces Second Lawsuit Over Kelingking Beach Glass Elevator

Investors behind a controversial glass elevator project at Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida have relaunched legal action against the Bali Provincial Government, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing dispute over one of the island's most contentious tourism developments.

The decision to refile comes after the State Administrative Court (PTUN) dismissed the investors' initial lawsuit on technical grounds, citing improper legal representation rather than ruling on the project's merits.

Technical Defeat Paves Way for New Challenge

According to Ngurah Satria Wardana, Head of the Legal Bureau of the Bali Provincial Secretariat, the first lawsuit filed by PT Indonesia Kaishi Tourism Property Investment Development Group failed due to administrative deficiencies.

"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," Wardana explained on Wednesday, April 15.

The critical flaw involved an unsigned power of attorney—specifically, the authorization document had not been properly signed by the Chinese investor's authorized director. This procedural error proved fatal to the case, leading the court to dismiss it within a week rather than addressing the substantive issues at stake.

Battle Continues Over Tourism Development Vision

The glass elevator project at Kelingking Beach has become a flashpoint in Bali's broader debate over tourism development versus environmental conservation. The installation, which would provide direct cliff access to the beach below, sits at the intersection of multiple competing interests.

Supporters of the project argue that improved infrastructure access could enhance visitor experience and potentially boost local tourism revenue. Critics, however, contend that the development poses environmental risks to the sensitive coastal ecosystem of Nusa Penida and sets a concerning precedent for future infrastructure projects in protected areas.

The Bali Provincial Government previously instructed investors to demolish the structure, signaling official opposition to the project as currently conceived.

Legal Process Begins Again From Scratch

With the fresh lawsuit now filed, the investigation process will restart entirely. Wardana confirmed that the provincial government is prepared to defend its position through the full legal proceeding.

"The provincial government remains prepared to follow the legal process and present the necessary evidence," he stated.

This renewed legal action underscores how technical procedural matters can delay substantive resolution of high-stakes disputes in Indonesia's administrative courts. While the first case failed on narrow grounds, the new filing suggests the investors remain committed to pursuing their investment despite government opposition.

Implications for Nusa Penida's Future

The outcome of this lawsuit could have broader implications for how Bali manages tourism development in environmentally sensitive regions. Nusa Penida, an island district within Bali's jurisdiction, has seen increasing tourist interest but remains relatively underdeveloped compared to southern Bali.

The glass elevator dispute represents a microcosm of the larger tension between accommodating tourist demand and preserving natural landscapes—a challenge facing many Indonesian destinations as international visitation increases.

Originally reported by Indonesia Expat on April 17, 2026.