Despite the issuance of a warning letter from the Information and Communication Ministry, Badung regional administration has insisted on continuing to demolish unregistered telecommunications towers constructed in the regency.
I Gede Wijaya, spokesman for the administration, explained Badung Regent A. A. Gde Agung had never received any warning letter from the ministry and had therefore decided to continue implementing the policy to regulate the operation of illegal telecommunication towers.
"The regent has not told us to stop demolishing the illegal towers," the spokesman said.
According to its website, the ministry sent the second warning letter dated Feb. 7, 2010, to reprimand the Badung regional authority over its controversial policy regarding the operation of telecommunications towers.
The letter was issued by the ministry following complaints from cellular operators and customers about networking disturbances.
The policy, the ministry said, would also affect communication services and the stability of Bali as a tourist island.
Since late 2009, Badung authority had demolished 21 telecommunication towers, which were built without necessary building permits.
PT Solusindo Kreasi Pratama built and rented the towers to a number of telecommunication providers including PT Telkomsel and PT Excelcomindo.
The tower developer claimed the company had lost Rp 143 billion due to the Badung policy
Badung Regent Gde Agung said he was convinced the demolition process was already in line with the existing regional bylaw No 4 issued in 1974 on building construction and regional regulation No 6 issued in 2008 on joint telecommunication tower.
PT Solusindo recently filed a civil lawsuit against the Badung authority demanding Rp 1 trillion in compensation.
Previously, cellular operators PT Telkomsel and PT Excelcomindo and PT Solusindo had also filed lawsuits against the Badung administration for tearing down the towers, which in the end disturbed telecommunication services in Bali.
The three companies reported the case to the Bali police late last year.
The police indicated a violation in the enforcement of the regulation. The Badung administration could be charged with violating the criminal law article 406, section 1 prohibiting anyone from destroying private properties.
