Bali did not wait long to respond to the waste problem. After waste became a global talking point and drew direct criticism from President Prabowo Subianto, the island moved quickly to clean up its coastline and push forward longer term solutions.
Hundreds of personnel from the Bali Regional Police were deployed to carry out beach cleanups across the island. These efforts came alongside the provincial government’s push to accelerate the Waste to Energy Power Generation project, known as PSEL, as part of a broader strategy to tackle the waste problem.
“In order to follow up on the directive from the President of the Republic of Indonesia regarding cleanliness at all tourist destinations in Bali, the Regional Police and its units initiated beach cleanups starting yesterday and continuing today,” said Head of Public Relations of the Bali Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Ariasandy, in Denpasar on Wednesday.
On the second day, cleanup operations were spread across several locations. Hundreds of personnel from the Bali Brimob Unit worked together with the East Denpasar Police and the Denpasar City Environmental and Forestry Agency at Padanggalak Beach in Denpasar. At the same time, officers from the Badung Police focused their efforts on Pererenan Beach.
Further west, personnel from the Jembrana Police carried out cleanups at three separate sites. These included Samiana Beach in Gilimanuk, Pangkung Dedari Beach in Melaya, and Delod Berawah Beach.
The large scale effort had already begun a day earlier. On Tuesday (3/2), the Bali Regional Police, supported by various government agencies and students, removed waste from Kuta Beach and Kedonganan Beach in Badung Regency.
Across all locations, officers and community members cleared piles of trash along the shoreline. Plastic waste and wooden debris were the most commonly found materials.
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Ariasandy said the cleanup reflects the responsibility of the Indonesian National Police in supporting better tourism standards on the island. “This will continue to be carried out in cooperation with all stakeholders in order to realize Bali as a tourism destination that is comfortable, clean, and safe to visit, in line with the mission of the Bali Police Chief to achieve quality tourism in Bali,” he said.
The cleanup followed strong remarks from President Prabowo Subianto during the National Coordination Meeting between the central and regional governments in Sentul, Bogor, West Java, on Monday (2/2). He openly criticized the condition of Bali’s beaches after being shown images from December 2025. “I’m sorry, Governor and Regents from Bali, this is real. Bali, December 2025, this is a Bali beach. How do tourists want to come here when they see trash,” he said.
Prabowo urged regional leaders, as well as the Indonesian National Armed Forces and the National Police, to take direct action in addressing the waste problem in Bali.
Responding to the call, Bali Governor Wayan Koster said he would follow up on the President’s directive. Speaking specifically about waste at Kuta Beach in Badung Regency, Koster explained that the issue is seasonal and recurs every year between December and February. According to him, the trash is carried by ocean currents from other areas.
To ensure a more structured response, Koster said the provincial government will form a special task force dedicated to beach cleanup efforts. He added that the President’s attention should be seen as a sign of concern for Bali’s position as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations.
Koster stressed that the criticism should not be met defensively. Instead, it should be used as momentum to speed up improvements. Beyond environmental concerns, he said the waste issue directly affects Bali’s global image and the long term sustainability of its tourism sector.
