The venture began with fanfare when the Bali government and Sarana Bali Dwipa Jaya (SBDJ), which oversees the project, launched a Hindu cleansing ritual, or ngeruwak, at the construction site in September last year. At the time, SBDJ announced Sinar Bali Karya as the main contractor, which would team up with another local firm Indotek and China Railway Construction Corporation.
Bumi Indah Prima, a consortium of Indonesian companies, was tapped as lead investor and in December bought land near the sacred Tanah Lot temple from property tycoon Hary Tanoesoedibjo’s MNC Land for 5.5 trillion rupiah (US$331.6 million).
Ari Askhara, president director of SBDJ, eventually stepped down from the position because of personal reasons, his successor Dodi Miharjana said in April.
“Our main focus remains on ensuring the smooth running of the Bali subway project, and that it continues as planned,” Dodi said, as cited by news outlet Detik Bali.
