G

overnor Made Mangku Pastika has finally admitted that he issued a permit letter granting PT Tirta Wahana Bali permission to reclaim and develop Benoa Bay for a massive tourism project.

In a meeting with journalists on Tuesday morning, Pastika elaborated that the issuance of the letter was based on the recommendation of the Bali Legislative Council and a feasibility study conducted by Udayana University.

Before a legislator revealed the fact that the provincial government had already issued a permit letter, Pastika was implying that he was still studying proposals submitted by four investors.

'€œYou can imagine thousands of people will be working on the project if it is approved. The project will certainly bring prosperity, employment opportunities and improve people'€™s welfare. This project will also enhance Bali'€™s status internationally,'€ explained Pastika on Tuesday, ignoring protests from the local tourist industry, academics and environmentalists.

His approval is contained in gubernatorial letter No. 2138/02-C/HK/2012, dated Dec. 26, 2012. Meanwhile, the recommendation letter was issued and signed by the council'€™s speaker, Ratmadi, on Dec. 22, 2012.

PT Tirta Wahana Bali International is one of four investors that were competing to develop enormous tourism projects in Benoa Bay. The other three investors are PT Bangun Segitiga Mas, PT Wijaya Property and PT Garuda Jaya.

PT Tirta Wahana Bali International plans to reclaim the western part of Tanjung Benoa and areas near Benoa Harbor.

The investor intends to build facilities on 50 percent of the reclaimed land and leave the remaining area as a green zone. The huge reclamation project would see development of luxury tourist facilities, including a Disneyland-like theme park, apartments, hotels, villas, an international hospital and entertainment centers.

In the gubernatorial letter, the company was granted management of 838 hectares with a 30-year concession and the possibility of an additional 20-year extension.