BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR – Three human rights and environmental organizations staged a symbolic rally titled “Grubug Agung, Restore Bali and Indonesia” in front of the Bajra Sandhi Monument in Denpasar on Monday (July 6), calling attention to what they described as worsening environmental degradation, human rights violations, and economic challenges in Indonesia.

The demonstration was organized by the Bali People’s Democratic Struggle Front (Frontier Bali), the Environmental Advocacy Working Committee (KEKAL Bali), and the Indonesian Forum for the Environment (WALHI Bali).

According to the organizers, the theme “Grubug Agung” was chosen to reflect the growing crises affecting both Bali and Indonesia. The groups raised concerns over poor tourism governance, arguing that the industry’s increasing demand for land and water has contributed to severe environmental degradation. They also criticized what they described as the state’s failure to protect human rights and environmental defenders, the rising number of attacks against activists, the depreciation of the Indonesian rupiah against the U.S. dollar, and recent increases in non-subsidized fuel prices.

Frontier Bali Secretary General I Wayan Sathya Tirtayasa said the rally was organized in response to a series of unresolved government policies affecting the economy, the environment, and civil liberties.

“We see that the government has failed to improve the country’s economic and environmental conditions, while human rights and environmental defenders continue to face intimidation,” Sathya said during the demonstration.

WALHI Bali Advocacy and Campaign Manager Anak Agung Gede Surya Sentana highlighted what he described as an increasing number of human rights violations and acts of violence against environmental defenders and human rights activists.

He said that from 2025 to 2026, at least 325 cases of violence against human rights defenders and environmental activists had been recorded.

“This shows how intolerant the government has become toward public criticism,” he said.

Meanwhile, KEKAL Bali representative I Made Juli Untung Pratama argued that Bali’s tourism industry has exceeded the island’s environmental carrying capacity, contributing to worsening land conversion and water shortages.

He urged the Bali provincial government to impose a moratorium on tourism development to protect the island’s natural resources and ensure environmental sustainability.

The demonstration featured a theatrical performance depicting the struggles currently faced by ordinary Indonesians while criticizing government policies considered harmful to public interests. The event concluded with the sounding of a traditional kulkul bulus wooden drum, symbolizing public resistance and a call for the government to restore environmental protection, economic stability, and safeguards for human rights and environmental defenders.