Avoid Costly Mistakes in 2025: Smart Ways to Structure Your Multi-Activity PT PMA in Bali & Lombok

Introduction

Bali and Lombok are no longer just tropical getaways—they’ve become investment hotspots for foreign entrepreneurs. From beachfront resorts and boutique retail shops to co-working spaces and digital service agencies, the region’s economic landscape is increasingly diverse. As the local economies evolve, many foreign investors are no longer content with launching a single venture. Instead, they’re building multi-faceted businesses that span several industries under one legal umbrella.

This is where the Multi-Activity PT PMA (Foreign-Owned Limited Liability Company) comes in. For investors with diverse ambitions, this structure offers a way to legally operate in more than one business field—whether it’s running a café while offering yoga retreats, or managing a property development company that also provides tourism services. But flexibility comes with complexity.

Setting up a Multi-Activity PT PMA isn’t as simple as just listing different services. If you want to stay compliant and avoid costly mistakes, you must understand the legal framework, select appropriate KBLI codes, and ensure your structure aligns with your short and long-term business goals.

This article is your practical roadmap. We’ll guide you through how to legally structure a Multi-Activity PT PMA in Bali and Lombok, so you can focus on building the dream, not fighting red tape.

What is a Multi-Activity PT PMA?

A PT PMA (Perseroan Terbatas Penanaman Modal Asing) is an Indonesian limited liability company with partial or full foreign ownership. It is the official legal structure that allows foreign nationals to run a business in Indonesia. While many foreign investors start with a single-activity PT PMA—focused solely on one sector, such as hospitality or real estate—others opt for a Multi-Activity PT PMA to allow for broader business operations.

A Multi-Activity PT PMA is a company registered under multiple KBLI codes (Indonesia’s official business classification system), enabling it to legally operate across various sectors. Unlike single-activity setups, this structure allows one legal entity to combine complementary (or even unrelated) activities under one roof.

The main advantage of a Multi-Activity PT PMA is flexibility. It offers scalability and future-proofing—ideal for entrepreneurs who want to expand or pivot without establishing a separate entity for every venture. This structure also reduces administrative duplication and legal costs in the long term.

However, proper setup is critical. Inaccurately selecting KBLI codes can result in operational restrictions, permit rejections, or tax classification issues. Worse, operating outside your legal scope can lead to sanctions or even business closure.

Here are some real-life combinations that are commonly structured under a Multi-Activity PT PMA:

1. Restaurant + Co-working Space + Event Venue – Great for lifestyle brands in Ubud or Canggu.
2. Villas + Property Management + Travel Services – Popular among real estate investors in Lombok and Bali.
3. Yoga Studio + E-commerce Retail + Café – A favorite among wellness-focused entrepreneurs.
4. Tech Consultancy + Marketing Agency + Training Services – Ideal for digital nomads turned business owners.

By understanding how a Multi-Activity PT PMA works and planning your business model accordingly, you gain not just legal compliance—but strategic advantage.

Legal Foundations You Must Understand

Before setting up a Multi-Activity PT PMA, it's essential to understand the legal framework behind it. The Indonesian government, through the BKPM (now integrated under the OSS-RBA system), regulates foreign investment and business classifications using KBLI codes—the backbone of legal business structuring.

Each business activity under a Multi-Activity PT PMA must be clearly classified and supported by the appropriate KBLI code. These codes determine what licenses you need, what types of capital or permits are required, and which sectors are open or restricted to foreign ownership. For example, opening a villa rental business falls under one KBLI code, while managing a café or running a marketing agency falls under entirely different ones.

The OSS (Online Single Submission Risk-Based Approach) system has streamlined this process, but it also adds a layer of scrutiny. The OSS system automatically assesses the risk level of each activity, which impacts the licenses and certifications you must obtain. For a Multi-Activity PT PMA, this means every single activity must pass OSS compliance independently—just listing it on your deed of establishment is not enough.

A common mistake is combining unrelated sectors—like a digital agency and a wellness spa—without clear separation in operations or reporting. This can trigger red flags during audits or licensing renewals, and potentially lead to business suspension.

If your Multi-Activity PT PMA includes both a high-risk activity (like construction or hospitality) and a low-risk one (like consulting or e-commerce), you may need different environmental or operational permits for each. This further emphasizes the importance of choosing the right combination of KBLI codes and structuring your business model to align with legal expectations.

In short, setting up a Multi-Activity PT PMA isn't just about flexibility—it's about understanding and aligning with Indonesia's regulatory system from day one.

Choosing the Right KBLI Codes

When setting up a Multi-Activity PT PMA, choosing the correct KBLI codes (Indonesian Standard Business Classification) is a critical step that can determine whether your business will be legally accepted—or face operational and compliance issues down the road.

KBLI codes serve as the official classification for every type of business activity in Indonesia. Each code corresponds to a specific license and legal requirement. For a Multi-Activity PT PMA, every activity you wish to run must be accurately listed and supported by the proper KBLI. If codes are mismatched or irrelevant to your business model, the OSS system may reject your application, or worse—your company could be penalized during audits or tax reviews.

Not all combinations are legally or practically compatible. For example, running a boutique hotel alongside a travel agency fits well under one Multi-Activity PT PMA. However, combining sectors like mining and education under the same entity is likely to raise concerns and may be rejected outright due to regulatory conflicts.

Working with a legal consultant is highly recommended, especially because KBLI code descriptions can be technical or vague. A professional can help interpret which codes are suitable, ensure your selected activities align with investment regulations, and avoid overlapping categories that could lead to compliance risks.

Ultimately, the success of your Multi-Activity PT PMA starts with selecting the right KBLI codes—making this step one of the most important in your setup journey.

Structuring Your PT PMA by Business Line

Once you’ve selected the appropriate KBLI codes, the next step in forming a successful Multi-Activity PT PMA is structuring your activities clearly and legally. This means dividing your business into “Main” and “Supporting” categories—a format that not only satisfies Indonesian regulations but also improves operational clarity.

The Main business line is your core revenue-generating activity. For instance, if your focus is on vacation rentals, Villa Rental should be listed as your main activity. From there, you can structure related services—like a Restaurant or Spa—as Supporting activities. These are typically allowed if they directly enhance or complement the main service.

You can also include Optional lines such as Tour Services, which may fall under a different KBLI code but still align with your hospitality-focused model. However, each of these components must be declared, properly licensed, and supported by the right permits under your Multi-Activity PT PMA.

Another strategic move is to set up internal business units or departments within one PT PMA, keeping accounting, staffing, and operations streamlined while still complying with legal separation between activities.

Getting the structure right from the beginning avoids future issues with audits, taxes, or OSS rejection. A clear, well-divided business line structure is the backbone of a legally compliant and scalable Multi-Activity PT PMA.

Licensing & Operational Considerations

Licensing is a critical part of operating a Multi-Activity PT PMA in Indonesia. Each business activity—whether main or supporting—requires its own specific set of permits. At minimum, you must obtain a NIB (Business Identification Number) through OSS-RBA. Depending on your sector, you may also need an Izin Lokasi (Location Permit), Environmental Permits (UKL-UPL or AMDAL), and sector-specific operational licenses.

For example, in hospitality, running a villa or hotel requires a tourism license, plus environmental clearance. A restaurant under the same Multi-Activity PT PMA needs a food and beverage license. If you add an event organizing service, you’ll need additional documentation, including a Public Entertainment Permit.

Through OSS-RBA (Online Single Submission – Risk-Based Approach), you can register multiple business activities under one legal entity, as long as the selected KBLI codes are compatible. However, your business location must be appropriately zoned; certain areas are designated specifically for tourism, commercial, or industrial use. For instance, real estate or hospitality activities may only be permitted in zoned tourism or commercial districts.

Proper licensing ensures that your Multi-Activity PT PMA can operate smoothly and legally, avoiding costly delays, closures, or penalties during audits or inspections.

Financial and Tax Planning for Multi-Activity PT PMA

Proper financial planning is essential for the sustainability of a Multi-Activity PT PMA. With multiple business lines—such as a villa, restaurant, and tour agency—you must set up clear accounting systems that track revenue and expenses separately per activity. This clarity helps prevent misreporting and makes tax compliance easier.

Each activity may have different tax obligations. For example, VAT (PPN) and Income Tax (PPh) must be reported individually based on each KBLI code. A restaurant’s VAT structure differs from that of a tour service or retail business. Hiring staff across different business units also requires thoughtful planning, especially for calculating payroll, BPJS Ketenagakerjaan, and BPJS Kesehatan contributions, which must be handled per role and job function.

To ensure smooth operations and avoid penalties, financial reports must be accurate, clean, and ready for audits. These records are crucial not just for tax filings, but also for managing your company’s NPWP (Taxpayer Identification Number) and meeting periodic compliance reviews.

Working with a tax consultant or accountant who has experience with a Multi-Activity PT PMA is highly recommended. They understand the complexities of reporting and can help you stay compliant with Indonesia’s evolving tax regulations.

Mistakes to Avoid When Setting Up a Multi-Activity PT PMA

Setting up a Multi-Activity PT PMA offers flexibility—but only if done right. One of the most common mistakes is listing unrelated KBLI codes (e.g., construction + education + travel agency) without a clear business justification. This can result in license rejection or extra scrutiny during audits. Your KBLI selections must align logically and operationally.

Another major pitfall is using a nominee (local proxy) to skirt foreign ownership restrictions. This practice is not only illegal but also exposes foreign investors to serious legal and financial risks, including asset loss and deportation.

Some investors also begin operations—such as renting villas or running a spa—before securing the required permits under OSS-RBA. This can trigger enforcement actions, fines, or even forced shutdowns.

Lastly, many underestimate regional variations. Local zoning and licensing regulations in Lombok may differ significantly from Bali, even for similar business models. Assuming uniform rules across provinces can result in costly delays.

To avoid these mistakes, always consult professionals who understand the nuances of establishing a Multi-Activity PT PMA in Indonesia. Taking shortcuts may save time initially, but can cause major setbacks later.

Conclusion & Next Steps

Launching a Multi-Activity PT PMA in Indonesia offers incredible opportunities—especially in diverse sectors like hospitality, retail, and tourism. But success starts with proper planning. From choosing the right KBLI codes to structuring your business lines and managing tax obligations, every step must be carefully aligned with regulations.

A well-organized Multi-Activity PT PMA structure not only keeps you compliant, but also optimizes operations, reduces risk, and protects your long-term investment. Avoiding shortcuts, especially with licensing and zoning, is essential.

Before you begin, consult legal advisors, tax professionals, and OSS-RBA experts to map out your path. The right strategy can save you time, money, and future legal headaches.

Ready to build your Multi-Activity PT PMA the right way? Start by getting the right advice—and build a foundation that lasts.

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