The Cave That Was 'transformed' Into A Luxury Hotel Restaurant In Bali Is Prohibited From Operating Before Completing The Permit

BADUNG - A cave that has been transformed into a luxury restaurant in the Edge Hotel area, on Pura Goa Lempeh Street, Pecatu Traditional Village, South Kuta District, Badung Regency, Bali is prohibited from operating.

The Head of the Badung Regency Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP), I Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara, said that the temporary ban on the operation of the restaurant in the cave was decided because the hotel did not have a permit.

Checking directly into the cave at The Edge Hotel was carried out by the Badung Satpol PP together with the Badung Regency Culture Service and

Bali Province Cultural Conservation Preservation Center (BPCB), as well as related agencies.

"What is certain is that the main conclusion for this activity is that this activity is temporarily suspended. We want to get a study from the cultural agency in particular, whether this is a natural (natural-made) category or (ancient caves). We ask for time to immediately provide recommendations", Suryanegara said, Tuesday, July 19.

"It is certain that there is no special (permit) in this cave. That's why we decided today that it should not be used until the permit is complete", continued Suryanegara.

According to him, the restaurant in the cave can operate again later if there is a study related to the cave in the area of The Edge Hotel.

According to the Head of Civil Service Police Unit, this cave was discovered by the hotel during land management. But this cave is said to have just been operated because previously the COVID-19 pandemic was carried out with the process of maintaining distance between visitors.

"But still, our point of view is from the government, whatever it is, there must be legal certainty for the business. How about the licensing, so our conclusion is that we will temporarily stop until there is legal certainty", Suryanegara continued.