"We coordinate with the local government to manage the Russian Village. This has become our concern because Bali is one of the main gateways for foreign tourists to Indonesia," the ministry's deputy for tourism and infrastructure development, Hariyanto, told ANTARA on Friday.
According to the deputy, the Russian Village situated in Tegallalang, Gianyar District, has faced considerable backlash from the locals.
The local government identified an alleged criminal act involving the conversion of protected agricultural and rice fields into a building.
Such crime must be addressed in accordance with Indonesian law, Hariyanto emphasized.
The structure is deemed to violate Article 19, paragraph 3 of Gianyar Regional Regulation Number 15 of 2015 regarding Public Order and Public Tranquillity, along with Gianyar Regional Regulation Number 2 of 2022 related to the Implementation of Risk-Based Licensing.
Hariyanto remarked that the case is currently under investigation by the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation of the Bali Police.
"Such an incident could not recur again. Bali is famous as a safe tourist destination and has received world awards, such as the second-best tourist destination in the world 2025 from TripAdvisor, Best Island from DestinAsian magazine 2024, and others," he said.
As a tourist destination attracting the most foreign tourists along with Jakarta and the Riau Islands, Hariyanto pressed for heightened security measures in Bali to promote quality tourism in the region.
"We are heading towards quality tourism. We must ensure that tourists visiting Bali are responsible," he affirmed.
On January 20, the Gianyar District Government shut down and disbanded Parq Ubud, also known as the Russian Village, which is an apartment complex equipped with a workspace, restaurant, cafe, and other facilities.
The Directorate of Special Criminal Investigation of the Bali Regional Police has also named the Director of PT Parq Ubud Partners, identified as AF, as a suspect in connection with the alleged illegal conversion of sustainable agricultural land and protected rice fields in Ubud, Bali, on January 24.
Related news: Official ensures no special villages for foreigners in Bali
Related news: Two foreign nationals crushed by falling tree in Ubud: police
Translator: Hreeloita Dharma S, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: M Razi Rahman
Copyright © ANTARA 2025
