TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Bali Provincial Government has asserted that it does not need mass organizations that act as self-proclaimed guardians of security, order, and social conduct through thuggery, violence, and intimidation, which has created tension in the island's usually peaceful society.
Besides the Indonesian military (TNI) and police (Polri), Bali already has its own integrated, village-based security system called Sipandu Beradat.
"Bali already has the Sipandu Beradat and Bakamda, which includes pecalang (traditional security guards), linmas (civilian security), bhabinkamtibmas (local police officers), and babinsa (local army officers), all regulated under Bali Governor Regulation Number 26 of 2020," said Bali Governor Wayan Koster in Denpasar on Monday, May 12, 2025.
His statement was in response to the appearance of an outside mass organization in Bali known as the United Indonesian People Movement or GRIB Jaya, which has been opposed by local residents, according to Antara news agency.
With traditional elements and state authorities already maintaining security and order, the Governor asserted that mass organizations claiming to develop Bali but causing distress are unnecessary.
The Bali provincial government, along with the regional legislative council (DPRD), police, military command, prosecutor's office, and other security officials, views these thuggish mass organizations, which have recently gained attention on social media, as damaging Bali's established image as a safe tourist destination.
Governor Koster explained that Bali's trusted Sipandu Beradat system was officially launched by the National Police Chief Listyo Sigit in 2022.
The Sipandu Beradat system combines elements of state and traditional guardianship that have been working well together and have even participated in international events held in Bali.
He emphasized that the rejection of these aggressive mass organizations is not because Bali is unwelcoming to newcomers. He noted that the "Island of the Gods" is already home to 298 mass organizations made up of community groups from various other regions in Indonesia.
He stated that this action aims to ensure an organized, orderly, safe, comfortable, peaceful, prosperous, and happy life for the Balinese people, and to foster a tourism industry based on culture, quality, and dignity.
"We have agreed to take a firm stance in decisively dealing with mass organizations that engage in bullying and criminal acts, causing distress to the community," he said.
Bali Police Chief Inspector General Daniel Adityajaya stated that law enforcement would take strict measures if the presence of such mass organizations causes friction within the community.
In cases of criminal violations, Daniel Adityajaya said that the legal process will be carried out strictly according to criminal laws.
"When other incidents requiring intervention occur, we will handle them accordingly, such as gatherings that cause disturbances, which will be dispersed," said the Bali Police Chief Inspector General.
The Bali Provincial Government assures that it will reject bullying behavior disguised as community organizations trying to obtain official registration (SKT).
The Bali provincial government, together with law enforcement authorities, has agreed to reject thuggish mass organizations that are seen as disrupting the comfort of the community, including the tourism sector.
Governor Koster explained that mass organizations are part of the freedom of association, a basic human right protected by law.
However, community organizations are required to uphold religious, cultural, moral, and ethical values, as well as maintain public order and promote peace in society.
Koster said that even if an organization is permitted at the national level, it does not mean that a region cannot reject it, especially if it is detrimental to the region and is unanimously opposed by the community, based on opinions expressed in various media.
"Freedom of assembly does not mean absolute freedom; the state regulates it to ensure order, a positive environment, and contributions to national development. Therefore, the existence of mass organizations is specifically regulated and they must register with the local government," he said.
To date, the Bali provincial government has registered 298 mass organizations that have SKT, operating in areas such as social welfare, humanitarian aid, youth activities, culture, environment, and national interests.
"Regarding the presence of mass organizations in the Bali Province that have not fulfilled or do not meet the obligations as stated in the regulations, these organizations have not been recognized and cannot operate within the Bali region," said Wayan Koster.
Gerindra Bali Denies Involvement with GRIB Jaya
Previously, the Regional Leadership Council of the Gerindra Party of Bali Province denied any involvement in the establishment of the community organization United Indonesian People's Movement (GRIB) Jaya.
This statement was made by the Secretary of the Gerindra Bali Regional Leadership Council, Kadek Rambo Budi Prasetya, in Denpasar on Saturday, April 26, 2025. His response came after a video circulated showing the GRIB Jaya organization inaugurating its leadership in Bali with the Gerindra Party flag in the background.
"Regarding the issue of photos and so forth, we are unaware of the location or context. What is clear is that the Gerindra Party has never been officially associated with the GRIB organization," he said.
Rambo even stated that they did not know when and where the video and photo featuring the Gerindra Party flag were taken.
According to Antara reports, the spread of information about the organization's inauguration led the Chairperson of the Bali Province Gerindra Party Leadership Council, Made Muliawan Arya, to respond through various social media posts.
He emphasized that their party is open to forming friendships with all community organizations in Bali while upholding the Pancasila ideology.
However, organizationally, he firmly stated that Gerindra has no official relationship or affiliation with GRIB.
"However, in principle, if it's about friendship, the Gerindra Party in Bali is friends with all community organizations in Bali because we believe that, in terms of friendship, all of these organizations have good principles, certainly based on Pancasila," he said.
Previously, a video circulated showing the leadership of the GRIB Jaya organization being inaugurated in Bali, with its leader named Yosef Nahak.
At that event, the Chairperson of the DPP GRIB Jaya (central leadership), Hercules Rosario, was present, along with various organizational symbols and the Gerindra Party flag in the background.
Separately, the Head of the Bali Provincial Kesbangpol (Office for National Unity and Politics), Ngurah Wiryanatha, stated that the GRIB Jaya organization had not yet applied for an SKT to the provincial government.
"Until now, GRIB has not applied for an SKT to Kesbangpol," he said via text message.
Quoted from GRIB Jaya Bali's Instagram, the organization was founded by Hercules and Prabowo in 2011. In 2019, based on input from Prabowo in Hambalang, Hercules and the GRIB board changed the organization's name to GRIB Jaya, based on Pancasila and the 1945 Constitution.
The post mentioned that "according to Hercules, GRIB Jaya must protect the public, work together with the government, TNI-Polri, and always obey the law because the law is the highest authority."
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