“This Is So Sad:” Jamie O’Brien Calls Out Controversial Ulutawu Seawall Project

“They just absolutely destroyed the whole cliff,” surfing’s YouTube kingpin said while overlooking Uluwatu. “This is so sad.”

In a brief detour from spelunking in Indonesia’s archipelago, Jamie O’Brien highlighted the controversial renovation./construction happening above the lefts in Bali. The Indonesian government says it’s pouring in $78.6 billion Rupiah (roughly $5 million USD) to protect the ancient Pura Luhur Temple, which sits atop the cliff at Uluwatu, as well as install new access roads to the beach and a coastal revetment or seawall. The cliff has a crack in it that appeared during a 1992 earthquake. Plans also call for a seawall and road at the base of the cliff, which many believe could irreparably damage the reef that brings boatloads of tourism dollars to Bali's economy.

For roughly the past month excavators and tractors have carved out a large chunk of the cliff. It’s a big move by JOB to speak out on this issue, as opposition led by local Balinese surfers has proved tricky. Some local residents who oppose the development have allegedly faced pushback from the government and don’t want to voice their concerns for fear of looking like they are against their culture’s values.

“The worst part is,” Jamie adds later in the video, “there’s all this rock and limestone falling into the ocean and it’s killing the marine life and the reef.

“Uluwatu’s going to be ruined forever if they keep tearing at these cliffs.”

Click here to view the Save The Waves Coalition’spetition calling for the local government to release the formal Environmental Impact Assessment on the project.

Related: New Petition Calls For Transparency of Uluwatu Development's Environmental Impact