Bali's The Cave Restaurant Suspended

TheIndonesia.co - The operation of The Cave restaurant, which is located in a cave in the Pecatu area, Badung Regency, Bali, has been temporarily suspended. The local government takes that action because it has not completed a permit and is waiting for studies from several agencies related to the use of the cave as a restaurant.

The temporary suspension of operations was carried out after the Badung Badung Civil Service Police Unit and several related agencies conducted a field survey to ensure the legality of the restaurant building located within The Edge hotel area.

"From this review, the conclusions drawn for activities at The Cave Restaurant are temporarily suspended because we want to get a study from the relevant agencies, especially the cultural center, whether this cave is in the category of nature or cultural heritage so that recommendations can be given as soon as possible," said the Head of Badung Civil Service Police Unit, I Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara, Tuesday, July 20, 2022.

He said if the recommendation determines the cave is a cultural heritage, it is the state's obligation to maintain its sustainability. "Even if it is purely natural, we also want certainty, both in terms of licensing and in terms of security," he said.

Ketut Suryanegara explained that with legal certainty such as licensing, recommendations from the surrounding community, and the cultural center which stated that it was indeed feasible to be used, recommendations for The Cave restaurant to operate again would be given.

"But if the recommendation says it is not feasible and not allowed, we will make sure that this restaurant is not allowed to operate," he said.

He added that the permits previously pocketed by the management were operational permits for hotels and restaurants in the hotel area, except for restaurants in caves. "This cave was not included in the previous permit. Therefore, we have decided from today that it should not be used until the permit is complete. And we are waiting for permission from the Licensing Service, if everything is appropriate and complete, then we will issue a recommendation for it to be reopened," he said