Marina Bay City Lombok Prepares Legal Action Following Dispute With Former Partner Kinnara
By Investigative Desk | Lombok, Indonesia
Marina Bay City Lombok is preparing legal action against its former joint-venture partner, Kinnara (K-I-N-N-A-R-R-A), an Asian real estate platform that recently exited the project after selling its 50% stake, according to an insider familiar with the matter.
The insider says the situation has now escalated after repeated cease-and-desist letters and formal breach notices allegedly failed to secure the handover of core digital assets belonging to Marina Bay City. These assets include the primary website marinabaycity.com and the official Marina Bay Lombok Facebook page, both of which insiders say were required to be transferred to Marina Bay City as part of the buyout.
According to the insider, written assurances were provided — including WhatsApp messages attributed to Kinnara’s CEO and founder, Adrian Campbell — confirming the digital assets would be handed over. Despite those assurances, Marina Bay City alleges the assets remain under Kinnara’s control and are still being actively used for marketing purposes.
Alleged “Bait-and-Switch” Marketing
Marina Bay City insiders allege that Kinnara continues to use Marina Bay City’s digital platforms to mislead prospective buyers, presenting opportunities as though they are part of Marina Bay City, only to later redirect those buyers into Kinnara-controlled projects.
Management says this conduct has caused widespread confusion, reputational damage, and direct commercial harm to the Lombok master-planned city.
The insider further alleges that after pocketing in excess of AUD $4 million — described by Marina Bay City as buyout-related and client funds — Kinnara has since attempted to deny to clients that any buyout ever occurred, despite public statements, communications, and transactions indicating otherwise.
Land Interference and Serious Allegations
More seriously, Marina Bay City alleges Kinnara has attempted to gazump land that was already under contract or in formal negotiation with Marina Bay City. According to the insider, this included approaches to landowners encouraging them to cancel existing agreements in order to sell directly to Kinnara instead.
Marina Bay City also claims there is evidence — including recordings from a public Zoom presentation — showing Kinnara marketing and selling beachfront land within Marina Bay City that it does not own, has not paid a deposit on, and has no authority to sell.
“If proven, this conduct is not only unethical, but potentially fraudulent,” the insider said. “This dispute is now clearly heading toward court.”
Claims of Duress and Extortion During Buyout
The dispute has also reignited earlier allegations that the buyout itself was conducted under extortion and duress.
According to Marina Bay City insiders, Lux Projects Bali, which now owns 100% of Marina Bay City, was allegedly threatened with imprisonment or an Indonesian entry ban unless it agreed to the buyout and paid millions of dollars to Kinnara. Marina Bay City says these threats were made during private communications and now form part of the growing legal case.
Kinnara has not publicly responded to these specific allegations at the time of publication.
Public Warning to Buyers
Marina Bay City has now issued a strong and unambiguous warning to the public:
•Kinnara is not an agent of Marina Bay City
•Kinnara is not a licensed developer within Marina Bay City
•No permits or approvals will be issued for any land sold by Kinnara in or around Marina Bay City
•Buyers who purchase through Kinnara believing they are buying into Marina Bay City may be denied access to the city, including all gated entrances and shared facilities
“Anyone purchasing land or villas through Kinnara under the belief they are buying into Marina Bay City will be deeply disappointed,” the insider warned. “Access control is strictly enforced, and only licensed Marina Bay City developers and owners can enter or use city facilities.”
Next Steps
Marina Bay City says it is moving to protect buyers, investors, and the integrity of the project, and urges all prospective purchasers to buy directly from Marina Bay City or officially licensed partners only.
With legal proceedings now imminent, the case is expected to attract close attention from investors, regulators, and industry observers, given the size of the project and the seriousness of the allegations.
This article reports allegations attributed to Marina Bay City insiders. All parties are entitled to respond. No court findings have yet been made.
