Concerns over the declining number of native Balinese, who play a crucial role in preserving local culture, have prompted the government to take strategic action.
One of the initiatives currently under discussion is a program aimed at encouraging Balinese families to have more children. This effort, spearheaded by Bali Governor Wayan Koster, seeks to ensure the sustainability of Balinese cultural heritage in the future.
Head of the Bali Provincial Culture Office, Prof. Dr. I Gede Sugiartha, emphasized that Bali’s current population growth is primarily driven by migrants rather than native Balinese. This raises concerns about who will carry on and safeguard Balinese traditions if the native population continues to decline.
“Balinese people are the ones who truly understand and uphold Balinese culture. If their numbers keep shrinking, our cultural identity may be at risk. Protecting and increasing the native Balinese population is a logical step, not a form of discrimination,” Sugiartha stated during a coordination meeting at the Bali Culture Office on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
One of the key policies being developed is an incentive program for families with a third or fourth child—traditionally named Nyoman and Ketut in Balinese culture. According to Sugiartha, this initiative aims to boost the native Balinese population while ensuring the preservation of cultural traditions.
However, the implementation of this program depends on the formulation of appropriate regulations, which could take the form of a regional regulation (Perda) or a gubernatorial decree (Pergub).
The Bali Culture Office is not working alone in shaping this policy. Several government agencies, including the Office for Community and Village Empowerment (PMD), the Social Affairs Office, the Population and Civil Registry Office (Capil), and the Investment and Licensing Office (PMA), are involved in drafting the regulations. Additionally, a special task force will be established to expedite the process.
The coordination meeting also served as a platform to align strategies between the provincial and district governments in implementing the governor’s priority programs.
“We want to ensure that all planned programs are effectively executed across all levels of government in Bali,” Sugiartha concluded. (BT)
