Balinese hope construction freeze can tame tourism

But President Prabowo has raised doubts that he wants to curb island's development

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On Indonesia's beach-fringed resort island of Bali, fed-up locals want to slow the mass tourism that is their biggest money earner - hoping a plan to freeze hotel-building can restore some calm.

Anxious about runaway tourism, many Balinese yearn for a more tranquil yesteryear, much like residents in European hot spots Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca or Venice.

In response, the Indonesian authorities recently announced plans - yet to be confirmed by the new government - for a two-year moratorium on building hotels, villas and nightclubs.

Before foreign surfers discovered its waves decades ago, Canggu was a quiet, southern Balinese beach-side village perched on the Indian Ocean and dotted with rice padi fields.

Now, it bristles with hotels and lodgings, its streets clogged with cars, scooters and trucks.

Locals like 23-year-old Kadek Candrawati fear the environment is taking second place.

"Canggu is now busier... its tranquillity and greenery are gradually disappearing," said Ms Kadek, who owns a motorcycle rental service that earns her seven million rupiah (S$593) monthly.

"The government and the community need to work together to ensure that Bali stays green and sustainable, and the local culture is preserved," she told AFP.