Provincial Government will Rehabilitates TPA Suwung

Bali Provincial Government planned to rehabilitate mangrove forest area in Suwung Denpasar which is used as Tempat Pembuangan Akhir (TPA) – Final Rubbish Banishment Location – Suwung Denpasar.

From 30 hectare of TPA Suwung in the territory of Bali Province is planned for rehabilitation area in mangrove forest area in Suwung Denpasar which is has been used as the location of TPA Suwung Denpasar. Mangrove forest area used for rubbish installation process is about 10 hectare.

Bali governor, Made Mangku Pastika in his statement in Suwung Denpasar on December 14th, said about his plan to rehabilitate mangrove forest area precisely located in the TPA location is still in permit application process to the central government. Since the entire license for the utilization of that mangrove forest area is in the hand of central government.

”The land used by rubbish processing installation merely 10 hectare, for the rest we will reforest it,” said Made Mangku Pastika.

Pastika hope for this plan can pass the central government agreement, remembering this rehabilitation effort has lot advantages for the effort of forest land area covering in Bali which only reach the number of 22.5 percent from the width of Bali area. Besides mangrove has function in retaining abrasion and fish ecosystem.

News by Berita Bali

Rotary Club Seminyak Dominated by Foreign Members

Members of social and humanity organization under Rotary Club Bali Seminyak are now dominated by foreigner.

President of Rotary Club Bali Seminyak, Patricia Jamieson at Kuta, Bali on Sunday said that since it first development on May 2002 Rotary Club Bali Seminyak members were merely 24 people from 16 countries.

“This social organization tried to conducting various humanity events such as health check, cataract eye surgery as well as other social activities like greening the environment,” he said.

Vice President for Rotary Club Bali Seminyak, Handy Saputra added, as the only local citizen joined this group he want to do more for the people.

“Almost all of Rotary Club Bali Seminyak members are foreigner. They are really concerns about people and environment condition in this Island of God,” he said.

He also assessed that this year his party had delivered hundred of million funds through several programs, for instance is harelip surgery, clear water supply with bio filter technology at Sibang village of Badung regency as well as helped medicinal treatment and education of a child who suffered blood cancer of leukemia.

“There are several eases when joined with this organization, we get easier to find fund for the people, we also not get fused over when helping people, he said.

It is said that every year Rotary Club have programs to help the people, starting from health, education up to clear water supply.

“Rotary Club today already has members for about 1.2 million people spreads in 33.000 Rotary Club for about in 170 countries. The number of this organization member keeps growing every year,” said Handy Saputra.

In Bali, he said, there are already 16 Rotary Club. Its member consist of people from various profession starting form doctor, lawyer, public who have social concern.

News by Antara

Regency and Police Resort Cooperates in Travelling Drive License Service

The synergy happened between the regency government and Jembrana Resort Police was not showed in control operation only. Two supreme head of this department agreed to synergize in realizing traveling driving license service.

That thing is revealed when Jembrana regent, I Gede Winasa met with Head of Jembrana Police Resort, AKBP. R Ahmad Nurwakhid in the VIP room of Jembrana Regent Office on Thursday, December 10th. At that time, Winasa, a regent who famous with various innovations delivered his idea about travelling driving license service system and allowed the use of Mobile Central Access Point (M-CAP) that is belong to the Jembrana Government for the need of realizing that idea.

“Driving License Service could be done through mobile online yet the server still in the Resort Police office. M.CAP cars were provide by the government so Resort Police don’t have to buy it again,” suggest Winasa. For the technical terms, Winasa is ready to help by sending Jembrana Government’s IT team. “Technically we already have IT team to prepare our every need,” he added.

That suggestion directly responded positively from the Head of Resort Police, Nurwakhid who just a month served as the Head in Jembrana Resort Police – Kapolres – According to the Jembrana Resort Police’s Head of Traffic Unit, AKP I Nyoman Nuryana who who also accompanied Kapolres, said that the driving license service in Jembrana is the only one service in Bali who can be accessed online together with Mabes Polri – headquarter of Indonesian Republic Police Forces – in Jakarta.

“So the data in Jembrana driving license has already connected straightly into Jakarta,” said Nuryana. Related to the traveling driving license service, he mentioned that this kind of thing had already conducted by them, but it merely once in a month and the vehicle itself comes from Bali Provincial Police.

Besides suggesting for Traveling Driving License service, Winasa also suggested for traffic line separation for motorcycle and car to anticipate the high rank of traffic accident. “It is due to the accident happened between motorcycles are rarely happened,” Winasa said. That suggestion is welcomed well by Kapolres. “Off course we can do it sir, for the first step we will try it in city traffic line first,” he said. Kapolres admitted his salute with some ideas coming from this Jembrana regent. “We will keep trying tightened our cooperation in order to maintaining public order and safety in Jembrana,” he said.

News by Berita Bali

The Meaning of Labuh Gentuh Ceremony

On Wednesday, December 16th Hindu’s in Bali will held Karya Agung Labuh Gentuh ceremony, Mendak Toya, Pakelem at Batur Lake and at the peak of Mount Batur. Then what is the meaning of that ceremony?

Labuh Gentuh is a tawur ritual procession asking for nature harmonization. This procession used ceremonial mediums such as animal for sacrifice or called sato. Lectures from Universitas Hindu Indonesia (Unhi) Denpasar, Wayan Suka Yasa and Wayan Budiutama said that the function of this ceremony in fact to remind the people to always protecting and maintaining nature preservation. In fact, the people had been educated to maintain the nature as for the lake, the mountain, forest and other water resources.

”The essence of this ceremony was preservation message that should be followed with action,” said Budiutama and Wayan Suka Yasa on Sunday, December 13th. We ought to conducting lake preservation through greening action, don’t contaminate the lake’s water then it will preserves the fertility of the land in Bali which will end to the people welfare.

Meanwhile, the lecture from Institut Hindu Dharma Negeri (IHDN) Denpasar, Ketut Wiana said that Labuh Gentuh is considered as the name of banten tawur – tawur offering – for middle level pacaruan ceremony balancing the relationship between human and nature. It means that human need to emerge love toward nature as for lake and other water sources.

The same thing also been said by another lecture from IHDN Denpasar, Prof. Ketut Subagiasta. He said that Labuh Gentuh is considered as a natural harmonization effort through Bhuta Yadnya implementation. Through this ceremony the people asked for Ida Shang Hyang Widhi Wasa for the natural preservation.

In Danu Kertih context, it had been wished for the lake preservation in favor of its water pureness and cleanest. Through this ceremony also they wish on behalf of sarwa hita or safety (sukerta) creation.

With Danu Kertih, people asked to Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa for the grace of water for this world salvation. Through this ritual also, the water of the lake is hoped keep preserve and pure. “Danu Kertih ceremony, wana kertih and segara kertih precisely appear as Hindu’s form of wisdom dedicated to reach sukartening palemahan or the preservation of nature and environment,” he said.

News by Bali Post

300 Thousands Trees on the Slope of Mount Agung

300 thousand trees will be planted on the critical land at Mount Agung, Karangasem Bali. More than 60 hectare of that critical land will be planted.

This greening effort will be realized in the beginning of 2010 and according to the plan will be conducted gradually. The coordination of this action will be the group of environmental care called “Bali Kedas.”

For the first step, the land will be planted for about 60 hectare which is located in Temukus Village, Rendang District Karangasem. Tress that planted reached numbers of 300 thousand trees consists of Sandalwood trees, Majegau trees, and white, yellow as well as green frangipani trees.

In the next 30 years, the slope of Mount Agung will be planted with hundred and thousands of trees and it is hope that the critical land condition will change into a green and dense forest.
Besides the greening of hundred and thousands of trees, at that place also we will release animals that could live in that kind of habitat such as birds and more others,” added Indrawan.

Instead of merely conducting greening activity of hundred and thousand of trees, environmental care group “Bali Kedas” also will actively campaign the anti plastic rubbish movement around the greening location and entire Bali.

“Environmental Care Movement in Bali was begun from their concerned toward the environment that is gradually damaged, especially for forests in Bali due to the society’s indifference toward their environmental sustainability,” said Indrawan.

News by Berita Bali

Regency and Police Resort Cooperates in Travelling Drive License Service

The synergy happened between the regency government and Jembrana Resort Police was not showed in control operation only. Two supreme head of this department agreed to synergize in realizing traveling driving license service.

That thing is revealed when Jembrana regent, I Gede Winasa met with Head of Jembrana Police Resort, AKBP. R Ahmad Nurwakhid in the VIP room of Jembrana Regent Office on Thursday, December 10th. At that time, Winasa, a regent who famous with various innovations delivered his idea about travelling driving license service system and allowed the use of Mobile Central Access Point (M-CAP) that is belong to the Jembrana Government for the need of realizing that idea.

“Driving License Service could be done through mobile online yet the server still in the Resort Police office. M.CAP cars were provide by the government so Resort Police don’t have to buy it again,” suggest Winasa. For the technical terms, Winasa is ready to help by sending Jembrana Government’s IT team. “Technically we already have IT team to prepare our every need,” he added.

That suggestion directly responded positively from the Head of Resort Police, Nurwakhid who just a month served as the Head in Jembrana Resort Police – Kapolres – According to the Jembrana Resort Police’s Head of Traffic Unit, AKP I Nyoman Nuryana who who also accompanied Kapolres, said that the driving license service in Jembrana is the only one service in Bali who can be accessed online together with Mabes Polri – headquarter of Indonesian Republic Police Forces – in Jakarta.

“So the data in Jembrana driving license has already connected straightly into Jakarta,” said Nuryana. Related to the traveling driving license service, he mentioned that this kind of thing had already conducted by them, but it merely once in a month and the vehicle itself comes from Bali Provincial Police.

Besides suggesting for Traveling Driving License service, Winasa also suggested for traffic line separation for motorcycle and car to anticipate the high rank of traffic accident. “It is due to the accident happened between motorcycles are rarely happened,” Winasa said. That suggestion is welcomed well by Kapolres. “Off course we can do it sir, for the first step we will try it in city traffic line first,” he said. Kapolres admitted his salute with some ideas coming from this Jembrana regent. “We will keep trying tightened our cooperation in order to maintaining public order and safety in Jembrana,” he said.

News by Berita Bali

Three Business of Bali Local Company is Liquidated

In the middle of Governor Proposal forming BUMD PT Bali Mandara precisely had troubled Bali local companies. This condition is extremely worrying. From five local companies, three of them had liquidated since they keep suffer lose. They are chicken breeding farm at Pekarangan, Bedugul for about 3.8 hectare, trade industry business unit at Kamboja Street Denpasar and Bali textile industry (Balitex) in Kesiman (2.8 hectare). Now only two units who keep survive which are vegetable industrial unit in Kembang Mertha Bedugul in Tabanan for about 4.3 hectare and plantation business unit in Jembrana for around 100 hectare.

The director of Bali Local Company, IGN Suteja on Monday (November 16th) asserted that those three failed business had been handed over to the provincial government of Bali. While the profit of the Bali Local Company in 2008 is for about Rp 1.169. 675. 000 from Pulukan coconut plantation land’ compensation result with PY Citra Indah Pralaya Lestari (CIPL). Before in 2007 the profit was Rp 435 million.

He said, Pulukan coconut plantation for around 795 hectare now had cooperated with PT Citra Indah Pralaya Lestari (CIPL) for rubber. “The plant had growth well and the next three years will give some result,” said this formerly Kadisperindag Bali – Head of Bali Trade and Commerce Institution –

Coconut plantation industry decided to join cooperation with PT CIPL because it was estimated that cooperation would give more profit since lot of the coconut trees at there had already old. Moreover, the local company does not have lot of professional employee. That’s make cooperation with a third party which has professionalism is needed. At least from that cooperation, the salary of those who works at Pulukan Plantation who reaches 700 laborers now is under the management of PT CIPL. For now Bali Local Company merely have for about 200 laborers spread around business unit in Sanghyang Plantation and vegetable unit of Kembang Mertha.

News by Bali Post

Everyday Bali Produce 750 Ton Plastics Rubbish

As a small island, everyday Bali produces 5000 ton rubbish. From that amount 750 of them was plastic which is totally dangerous for environment.

This revealed in ‘Say No To Plastic’ campaign that was held at Mall in Kuta on November 27th.

In this campaign, every visitor who come and shopping in the supermarket in this mall is suggested to bring their own bag which can be used repeatedly.

”We invite the customer to participate in reducing the amount of plastic trash in Bali with carrying their shopping bag from home,” said Store Manager Mall, Nyoman Erawati.

Based on the publication data at biocycle.net, Bali produces around 5000 ton rubbish per day. From that total amount, 750 ton of them are plastic. That weight is equal with 167 trucks. This could trigger serious problem for our environment.

“Carrying used your own bag moreover you can use it repeatedly is considered the most effective and practical to reduce the negative effect of plastic bag toward the environment,” said Alex Ryan, the spokesman of ‘Bali Cantik Tanpa Plastik’, a campaign volunteer group who get their base in Ubud, Gianyar.

News by Berita Bali

2009 - November

Friday 20 November - ;from 1.15 pm - Hostelling International are celebrating their 100th anniversary worldwide and their 75th in the USA. ;They're putting on a forum on ;Backpack Diplomacy - Youth Travel as a Force for Change and I'll be taking part in the dicussions at the Park Plaza Hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, USA.





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Hundred of BlackBerry from Honkong is Confiscated by the Customs

Custom officer of Airport in Tuban Bali confiscated 120 units BlackBerry smuggling phones from Hongkong.

According to the head of Enforcement and Investigation Section of Ngurah Rai Airport Customs, Bagus Endro Wibowo, the confiscated BlackBerry is come from Hongkong. This smuggling is gone through DHL.

”There was hundred of BlackBerry which were confiscated. But after we investigated its receiver name and address is not clear,” he said.

In that confiscation, the Customs party succeeded secured two packets filled with 120 BlackBerry, it was varied from bold for 45 units, 35 units of 8520, BB 9550 for about 15 units also 25 units of Gemini. There was also Chinese hand phone who similar in appearance with Blackberry with XP Mobile type for about 10 units.

In his statement, there are two different names in it’s the receipt. They are Richard More and Jack Nicholas with same address that is at Kuta Paradiso Hotel, Kartika Plaza Street Kuta Bali.

The second packet was for Mr Tsang at RM 1303 New Trend GR 704 Prince Edward Jan Po Kong KLN Hongkong. From that receipts also recorded stuffs wanted to be delivered was stationery.

He added, this smuggling mode can be considered as the newest one, the name and the deliverer made in fictitious.

”We got some difficulty in searching for the receiver of these goods,” he said.
That smuggling BlackBerry is estimated worth for about Rp 517 million. This smuggling cause state losses for around 100 million.

News by Berita Bali

Lemukih in High Tense Again, House Thrown with Rocks

The atmosphere in Lemukih village, Sawan District Buleleng on Friday (November 13th) in the night until Saturday in the early was back into tense. Two groups from Nangka village district and Buah Banjah village district almost clashed each other at the border line of the two villages. A house been thrown by rocks by strangers.

From the information gathered last Saturday, that ruckus happened after four Lemukih citizen considered as the culprit in last October riot. Polres Buleleng – Resort Police of Buleleng – wasn’t arrested those four and they went home on Friday (November 13th) in the evening. Then in Friday night around 10 p.m. several people from Nangka entered Buah Banjah border line riding motorcycles.

People Dusun Buah Banjah get intense and ready for a fight. In that intense atmosphere, Made Samba’ house gets thrown by rocks by stranger. That dispute is suspected still has relationship with land dispute between Lemukih village and several people who still hold that land’ certificate.

Group of people who owned that certificate precisely most of them lived in Buah Banjah. With this Friday night event, several societies’ figures that lived in Buah Banjah get worried and afraid. Since that event usually happened before. That’s why Klian Subak Abian Gunung Sari Buah Banjah Lemukih, Drs. I Made Redata, last Saturday came to Mapolres Buleleng asked for security in Lemukih area, especially at the border line between Nangka and Buah Banjah.

Contacted after asked for that security in Mapolres Buleleng, Redata justified the disputing event at the border line between those two villages. He also corrected that Made Samba’ house was thrown rock by stranger. Moreover, he said that those ruckus events are usually happened especially when it was night. According to Redata, upper part of Nangka village district between upper parts of Buah Banjah village district is indeed stand side by side. If people in Buah Banjah looks like gathering themselves then Nangka villagers will get tense as if they will get surprise attack. “The atmosphere become uncomfortable and it happened almost every night,” he said.

How about the request in Polres Buleleng? Redata said that Polres Buleleng will consider situated their security members in Lemukih. Redata initiated asked for security to Polres Buleleng under people’ safety concern in Lemukih. Redata alone confessed that he precisely lived in Buah Banjah but eventually has no relationship with conflict in Lemukih. “I beg for security in order to secure people safety in Lemukih, all of them, and this action is not under any party,” he said.

Not Arrested

Related to the riot in Lemukih village, Polres Buleleng realized a request to not arrested four culprits. Those four villagers are Gede Sari Mawan alias Gede Sukradana alias Lubak (32 years old) from Banjar Dinas Lemaya, Gede Rodin alias Nang Sugus (32 years old) from Banjar Dinas Desa, Gede Kariana alias Gede Koni (21 years old) form Banjar Dinas Desa, Gede Sudirsa (28 years old) also lived in Banjar Dinas Desa. These four people were released on Friday evening from any suspicion as they ganged up on three citizens the holders of certificate of the land in dispute in a ruckus on last October

Pahumas Polres Bulelelng Kompol Made Sudirsa said that the four culprits were not arrested anymore since they already had guarantee from their legal counsel, Perbekel Lemukih and Klian Dusun in their village. Though they weren’t arrested but legal process of those four will still continued with several continuation investigation. Even there is perhaps other culprit added during the investigation.

News by Bali Post

Three Business of Bali Local Company is Liquidated

In the middle of Governor Proposal forming BUMD PT Bali Mandara precisely had troubled Bali local companies. This condition is extremely worrying. From five local companies, three of them had liquidated since they keep suffer lose. They are chicken breeding farm at Pekarangan, Bedugul for about 3.8 hectare, trade industry business unit at Kamboja Street Denpasar and Bali textile industry (Balitex) in Kesiman (2.8 hectare). Now only two units who keep survive which are vegetable industrial unit in Kembang Mertha Bedugul in Tabanan for about 4.3 hectare and plantation business unit in Jembrana for around 100 hectare.

The director of Bali Local Company, IGN Suteja on Monday (November 16th) asserted that those three failed business had been handed over to the provincial government of Bali. While the profit of the Bali Local Company in 2008 is for about Rp 1.169. 675. 000 from Pulukan coconut plantation land’ compensation result with PY Citra Indah Pralaya Lestari (CIPL). Before in 2007 the profit was Rp 435 million.

He said, Pulukan coconut plantation for around 795 hectare now had cooperated with PT Citra Indah Pralaya Lestari (CIPL) for rubber. “The plant had growth well and the next three years will give some result,” said this formerly Kadisperindag Bali – Head of Bali Trade and Commerce Institution –

Coconut plantation industry decided to join cooperation with PT CIPL because it was estimated that cooperation would give more profit since lot of the coconut trees at there had already old. Moreover, the local company does not have lot of professional employee. That’s make cooperation with a third party which has professionalism is needed. At least from that cooperation, the salary of those who works at Pulukan Plantation who reaches 700 laborers now is under the management of PT CIPL. For now Bali Local Company merely have for about 200 laborers spread around business unit in Sanghyang Plantation and vegetable unit of Kembang Mertha.

News by Bali Post

Lot of Them Remain in Note Only

Equipment Division of Klungkung Government intensively recorded their asset. It is due to the large number of missing assets while their record still exist in administration division of each SKPD – Working Unit Area Device –

That problem is conveyed by the chief of Equipment Division, Nyoman Terima when confirmed on Thursday (November 11th) in Klungkung. He denied that large number of asset such as chair; table, cupboard, etc. are incomplete. As far as there were stuffs that nowhere to be found. But the data alone is still existed. If that problem still remained practically it will be hard to justify it later.

”That’s why we keep conducted this recording while get coordinated with each of working units. In the future if there is ever an unknowing asset then a suggestion to erase it can be proposed. As far as the procedure had been followed since the beginning,” he said.

The asset wasn’t in that kind of stuffs only, Terima predicted that there are other assets like building of land which are improperly recorded. As well as for those who had changed ownership or had functional changed. All of that assets should been recorded well. “We still recording it until today,” he assessed.

Only when asked about large number of regional government asset in shape of shopping complex who had owned their private ownership certificate as before was HGB – Purposely Build Right (rent conept) – Terima confessed that he don’t know that problem exactly. His said that he was a novice in Equipment Division.

”I was new in this division. Moreover, this unit can also be considered as new division also. The asset in addition was handled by Public Division before. Therefore related to that shopping complex I couldn’t say a thing to that matter,” he said.

Whereas, Klungkung Regent, Wayan Candra mentioned that the changing of shopping complex ownership into private ones was correct according to the law and mechanism. The land of that shopping complex wasn’t indirectly handed over by the government. But it had been ruled from generations before. “So the government couldn’t forbid their shifting act from HGB into private ownership certificate. Land’ Office also has the right to gave certificate without local government recommendation” said Chandra.

Weak

Before, a council member of Klungkung Regional Legislature, Wayan Mastra regretted it and judged that the executive was weak to keep region asset, especially at the shopping complex. It was since the area utilized by the shop owners in term of HGB shifted into private ownership. Completed with certificate. According to Mantra, Klungkung government should act not merely stand still.

He viewed that ownership shifting of regional government asset wasn’t correct from law point of view. When that shifting act was not under Klungkung government’s knowledge and agreement and still in recommendation state, it is incorrect as far as law concerned. He just doesn’t know the exact data of those shifted ownership of the shopping complex.

He force Klungkung government through their related institution to record their asset under individual ownership as well as in term of HGB or HGP – right to use –
The recording itself, he said, is conducted in order to save regional asset to prevent it become individual asset.

News by Bali Post

It’s The Boy Now Who Got Drawn

After Anang Saipul Hadi (23) Lingkungan Dauh Waru citizen in Jembrana died dragged by the flow when took bath at Dangin Berawah Beach, Perancak, Jembrana, now its turn to be the five years old boy get dragged died. Mohamad Rifki Hamdani lived in Dusun Pangkung Wani, RT 01, Yeh Sumbul village, Mendoyo died tragically after dragged by the flow of the river closed to his house that is usually used by people around there to take a bath.

From the information so far, on Tuesday (October 20), tragedy happened to this kindergarten student began when he came from school, Rifki asked by his mother to play.

At first, Rifki played closed to his mother. But since his mother fully concentrates on doing her own activity make she loosens her surveillance. Near dawn, she realized that his child was nowhere to be seen.

Panic and confused, she decided to walk along the river to find her child. But that was useless made she thought that her child got drawn.

That curiosity is proven to be right when Rifki founded he had already a corpse. This instantly made her mother shocked as reported by local citizen to the sector police office in Mendoyo.

That police reacted toward that report and immediately went to the location of that incident. The investigation is led by Mendoyo Head of Sector Police Office, Iptu Moh. Tahir. Moh Tahir under the authorization of Police Main Base in Jembrana, AKBP Ketut Suardana when confirmed on Tuesday (October 20th) justified that accident. “The victim is in fact died drawn,” he said.

News by Berita Bali

Tiding Net, Two Tons Whale Shark been Trapped

Musahibin (33) never expected that his net he tided with his friends would catch two tons whale shark. Eight meters in length whale was trapped by the net of Pebuahan villagers, Banyubiru, Negara when tided in the water closed to his house.

When met on Friday (October 9th) Musahibin said that the beginning of this whale been trapped when he pull the net of one of his group, Sulaiman Daimi.

”At the beginning I thought that whale was a ray’s wheel,” he said. He predicted the whale been caught in radius 400 meters from the cost. “I only used ferny net, so it I’m not able to catch the fish far till the center of the sea,” he explained.

After been caught, that whale went berserk until his left foot got hurt strike by the fin of that whale. “His skin feels so rough,” he said.

Don’t want to take any risk and in order to save his net, Musahibin together with his companion perforce to hurt that whale with blade onto his head.

Musahibin confessed that someone had bought that whale shark for fifteen million Rupiah. While waiting for the buyer from Yeh Kuning, I tied the whale or now,” he said. That discovery constantly attracted people’s attention. They in throngs saw that ancient finding.

News by Berita Bali

Local Activity to Attract Visitor

In order to attract the domestic and non-domestic visitors to visit Lovina tourism object, some of tourism agents together with the Kaliasem village’s fishermen of Banjar District held Lovina Sail Boat Race 2009.

For about 27 sampans on Sunday (October 18th) participated in this Lovina Sail Boat 2009 championship at Spice Dive Lovina Beach in Kaliasem village Banjar district. The event that is held every year besides dedicated for fun but also become attracting event for tourism in Lovina.

”This activity is part of having fun activity, conducted in celebrating the Independent Day of Indonesia but the development of that event is welcoming by people in Buleleng and some sponsor in tourism industry, it can be seen from the people foreign tourist enthusiasm, makes this event continuously developed,” said the head of Kaliase Village, Ketut Widana.

In this third local championship, the participants are not from Kaliasem village only but there are outsiders who merely want to participate in this championship.

”There are 27 participants from Kaliasem village, there is also participant from Sangsit village of Sawan district and also from Kampung Bugis village of Buleleng district,” said the Head of the committee LSBR 2009, Bachrudin.

That activity evidently received nice response from the visitors; they were totally enjoyed people’s activity.

”Moreover on yesterday when we conduct some experiment, the visitor had already interested. There were people who rent one hundred thousand for one hour surround the edge of the beach. The boat was unique, small but aggressive,” said Iim Dive Shop businessman in Lovina.

In Lovina Sail Boat Race 2009 championship, the participant sailing through 1.5 km length starting from Spice Dive Beach then to the west –Gusung Sea Park- then to the east of Tanjung Sea Park and back to Spice Dive Beach.

News by Berita Bali

Fowl Smuggling Change Strategy

Galungan day is targeted by fowl smugglers by getting through Gilimanuk Port. Since on that Hindu’s day the fowl necessity is increasing drastically which causing price rising. In order to achieve bigger profit those fowl smugglers change their strategy.

From the information that has been gathered, after their action smuggling the fowls by entrust it into the commodities cars or hidden it in bus baggage is continuously bared, the smugglers change their strategy.

Fowl smuggling is not conducted in one time smuggling but it is divided and packed in sack where each sack contains 20-25 fowls to prevent from discovering.

After downward from the ship, the smugglers chartered a motorcycle rider to carry the fowls one by one out of the port.

Furthermore, those sacks are collected in a safe place to be transported into certain destination place.

The guarantor of KPT Wilker Gilimanuk, Drh. I Ketut Sonen, under the authorization of head of Farming Quarantine Organization Class I Denpasar, I Ketut Diarmita when confirmed on Wednesday (7/10) said that to anticipate fowl smuggling his party will keep involved related institutes, especially KP3 Gilimanuk Sea by improving inspection for all vehicles entering Bali.

”Information enounced about the smuggled fowls was got away used motorcycle riders will be handled with more intensive surveillance. If that information was true, we will process it,” he said.

Besides, Sonen also ask people cooperation to protect Bali from bird flu with giving some information if they saw fowls smuggling through Gilimanuk Port.

Related to the increasing of fowl necessity when Galungan, Sonen keep asserted since that fowls is classified as forbidden animal entering Bali according to Governor Regulation Number 44 years 2005, Bill Number 16 years 1992 and Government Regulation Number 82 years 2000, make his party cannot give any tolerance.

News by Berita Bali

Before Galungan, Bamboo Price Rise Drastically

Before Galungan and Kuningan Days bamboo price for penjor’s - a long bamboo pole about eight meter high with curved end, and decorated with palm leaves, rice paddies, corn on the cob, coconut, cakes, a piece of white or yellow cloth, etc. It is the symbol of Mount Agung and also as gratitude for the agricultural produce- is rise drastically. Even thought it rise drastically but there is still lot of buyers, this condition make the seller of bamboo and offering tools for big days ceremony of Hindu’s people feel relief.

Before Galungan and Kuningan, Balinese Hindu’s people are busy to prepare themselves to celebrate the ceremony which comes once every six months.

One of those preparations is making penjor. In making penjor bamboo stands as its main stuff. Since there are many Balinese people makes penjor then the demand for bamboo also rise drastically.

Today in Gianyar Regency, the major price for bamboo is Rp 17.000. And this price has totally different with its usual price for only Rp 7.000 per bamboo.

One of the seller named I Made Nuaba said that bamboo’s price rising cannot be free from the basic price that is also rising.

”We looking for bamboo in Bangli, nowadays the price of bamboo had already rose makes us to rise its price also to the consumers,” explained by Nuaba, one of the seller in Batubulan.

This price rising not only makes their shop lack of buyers. From 250 bamboos there are still 50 bamboos remain.

”At first I’m looking for only small number of bamboo since there are so many orders then I add the numbers,” he said while tidying up his bamboos.

News by Berita Bali

Malaysian Investor Targeting Nusa Penida Island

Investor from Klantan Malaysia is targeted Nusa Penida Island for investment. This investor interested to build a resort in the island that is belonging to the administration area of Klungkung Regency in Bali.

Nusa Penida Head District I Made Sudiarkajaya in his statement in Nusa Penida, on Sunday (4/10) stated that this Malaysian investor planning to built a resort for about 50-1000 hectare widhth from 20.224 hectare of Nusa Penida Island. Whereas, the investment wishes by people in that area was ranch investment.

“They are indeed had made master plan, his plan to make a resort on 50-100 hectare land is impossible in term of supporting capability and receiving capability while we hope for ranch investment,” explained I Made Sudiarkajaya.

I Made Sudiarkajaya mentioned that besides Malaysian investor, there is also Hongkong and English investor interested for investment in this island.

According to Sudiarkajaya, today in Nusa Penida there are five villas but four of them have no authorization yet.

News by Berita Bali

Winasa is targeted as the Suspect

Jembrana Regent Prof. drg. I Gede Winasa fulfilled the call from Satuan Tidak Pidana Korupsi Polda Bali –Bali Regional Police Squad of Criminal Action for Corruption-, Friday (25/9) for second investigation related to the project of organic trash manufacture machine (compost factory) in Kaliakah village, Kota Negara district.

Even though still investigate as the witness; it is possible for Regent Winasa to be established as the suspected after other suspects.

Regent Winasa came to Regional Police Station, at WR Supratman Street Denpasar, Friday in the afternoon at 13.30 Wita –Middle Indonesian Time- late for 5.6 hours from the original schedule at 10.00 Wita –Middle Indonesian Time- because the schedule was collided with the task of official duty as the head of Region. Winasa came without any assistance from his lawyer instead he was accompanied by his First Assistance Regency Territory Secretary who also act as his Law Expert Staff.

After arrived at Bali Regional Police Station, Winasa immediately went through investigation for about 2.5 hours, starting from 13.30 Wita until 16.00 Wita. After being investigate, he said little comment to the press “Off course, as a good citizen, I have an obligation to fulfill a call from police,” he said bout his investigation.

But when he was asked about the amount of question asked by the investigator of Bali Regional Police, Regent with several amounts of Muri Award (Record Museum of Indonesia) admitted that he wasn’t remember. Winasa also confess that he did not remember about the material of investigator questions. “I forgotten the detail of those questions,” said the husband of Banyuwangi Regent Ratna Ani Lestari vaguely while he entered his car at once to catch his flight to Surabaya at Ngurah Rai International Airport Tuban, for some business in the City of Heroes.

This is for the second time Winasa investigated as a witness in corruption assumption case of compost factory project at Kaliakah village. The first investigation was conducted on June 10, 2009. at that time Winasa was asked for 70 questions and investigated for seven hours starting from 16.30 Wita until 23.35 Wita. Whereas, the Head of Tipikor Polda Bali -Bali Regional Police Squad of Criminal Action for Corruption- AKBP Nengah Bardin stated that Winasa was investigated as a witness related to the file sharpening purpose of the eight Suspects in supposition case corruption of compost factory project.

Related to that investigation, Winasa, according to Nengah Bardin, his party prepared five questions. Those five questions is the sharpener from the last investigation, that is about machine purchasing documents and the document before transaction existed. Besides, that investigation also conducted to complete P-19 suspected one of Nyoman Suryadi as the Head of Public Work and Live Area of Jembrana. Under the direction of Public Prosecutor, the police was asked to conduct another investigation toward Winasa.

“That’s why we called Mr. Winasa again, could he explained the against the law elements performed by Nyoman Suryadi or not,” explained Nengah Barding after the investigation session over at Bali Regional Police Sation, Friday evening.

Nengah Bardin also said that his party in addition asked about the existence of documents like notes, present list in meeting preparation started from its planning until the purchasing of trash processing machine into compost. That officer said that his party found several deviations in that compost factory case. “According to the investigation and audit BPKP –Money and Establishment Surveillance Department- found country’s detriment for about 2.3 billion Rupiah. Beside that there was also fictive contract,” he explained.

Nengah Bardin also leaked out in that agreement with the Japanese –who conduct the project- in the document seem that the project was conducted by CV Puri Bening Jembrana while in fact that CV had nothing to do with that project.

That document, he said, was used to liquefy the fund. According to Nengah Barding, country’s detriment from APBD –Region Budgetary and Income- of Jembarana starting from 2006 to 2008 reach 2.3 billion Rupiah. Thus made Winasa called again as the witness in this case. That doesn’t mean also that he can get free from the law. Since the police had already targeting him as the suspect.
Nengah Bardin emphasized that to catch Winasa as a suspect, his party still waiting for the others eight suspects. “If their file already in P21, we can start sharpening our investigation with Mr. Winasa.” The next investigation can be lead into another stage.

Corruption Supposition case of compost factory seized eight suspects. Four of them has been expropriated into the high attorney of Bali on June 2009, they are I Gusti Ketut Muliartha (Jembrana Regency Company), I Nyoman Gde Saguna (the leader of Jembrana Public Work and Live Area activity), I Nyoman Suryadi (Head of PU and LH official), also I gde Putu Wardana (official of Foreign Affair Department of Jembrana).

While the other four suspects, I Gede Suadnyana (Jembrana Regency Government Staff), I Putu Dian Damayana (Head Department of Jembrana Regency Company Monetary), and Kazuyuki Tzurumi (Japanese citizen who supplied the compost factory machine). While in his letter, Winasa is signed as the witness or suspect. According to Nengah Bardin, files of four suspects are close to P-19, except for the four suspects whose file has been delivered to the high attorney.

“The problem is, those machines are random ensemble machine, so will be hard to decide the exact price. Moreover, there is no same machine that can be use as comparison,” said Nengah Bardin.

News by Nusa Bali

Jero Karang for the Next Culture and Tourism Minister

Tourism community in the eastern part of Indonesia expects President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to select qualified professional as the Minister for Culture and Tourism in his next cabinet to work between 2009 and 2014. Having the right person in position is essential to bring Indonesian tourism back from the set back caused by various issues including terrorism and global financial crisis as well as building strength to stand the competition especially against neighboring countries.
“In organizing his new cabinet, for the position of Minister for Culture and Tourism, we the tourism community of eastern Indonesia expect the President to choose experienced practitioner with proven success in tourism business”, Nico Pasaka, the regional coordinator for eastern Indonesia of Indonesian Association for Tour and Travel Agencies (ASITA), said in Tanjung Benoa.

Nico believes that among candidates considered suitable for the position and therefore deserves a full support is Balinese tourism practitioner Jero Gede Karang Tangkid Suarsana. “We, tourism community in eastern Indonesia support Jero Karang for the Minister of Culture and Tourism. In our views, he has been well tested, ke knows exactly the problems and challenges of tourism industry. He has also delivered his merit in building international image of Indonesian tourism through cultural tourism programs”, Nico continued.

Having experienced practitioner in the industry as the minister, Nico confidents that Indonesian tourism will quickly recovers from the current setback, the situation which currently taken as an advantage by neighboring countries to grow their own benefits.

“We need the right person who knows exactly the various problem of tourism industry such as promotion, airlines, and so on to quickly address them instead of letting them carry on like the current situation”, he continued.

Restaurant Waste Damaged Coral Reef

Coral reef revitalization project at Kelan Beach, Tuban, is facing obstacles. Damages to coral reef caused by domestic waste as well as hotels and restaurant disposed directly to the sea were found at several locations.? The situation was exposed by The Head of Office for Husbandry, Fishery, and Marine of Badung Regency, I Made Badra. However he confirmed that revitalization project of 12 hectares of coral reef at Kelan Beach to continue. Unfortunately level of damages caused by hotel and restaurant waste in certain locations came into serious extent that solution to restore them has not even elaborated. Damages caused by similar reasons were also found at Kuta Reef and Tuban Reef.

Badra said that the government of Badung Regency continuously intensify protection of the sea. At the moment protection of reef and water quality is conducted by related institutions between Tuban and Legian. “We continuously monitor water quality to measure level of pollution including in Legian area”, he said. Back to coral reef at Kelan Beach, Badra promised that physical implementation of the revitalization effort will start to become visible within the next one month.

At the moment the team is constructing media. Research on species to be planted is also in progress. The effort is expected to be expanded up to Legian area. “Revitalization area will be continuously expanded and in the future will be developed for marine tourism”, he added. “Management will be later on handed over to fishermen groups”.

Hotels in Lembongan Dispose Waste to the Sea

Management of hotels in Jungbatu, Lembongan, Nusa Penida, have shown their gut to violate regulations and ignore the environment. They disposed their waste directly to the sea as they did not have adequate waste processing system.

The situation has for sure brought negative impact to marine biota such as fishes and coral reefs. Unfortunately years of violation has never been responded with strict law enforcement by the government. So far all the government has done was something they called as coaching, despite of the fact that the water around Jungbatu, Lembongan, was designed as a conservation area and therefore deserved for extra protection.

As published by Bali Post daily, there are at least three tourism accommodation provider which dispose waste directly to the sea, as reported by local residents to Environment Office of Klungkung, namely CBR, LIBV, and BKR. All of those Bali hotels, Bali villas, and Bali resorts holds all documents related to environment in place, and have been in operation for at least five years.

Head of the Environment office of Klungkung, Dewa Oka Kusumajaya confirmed that his office has received the report about environmental violation conduct submitted by locat residents of Jungbatu. In response, his office has immediately sent an inspection team. However out of three hotels reported, only one has proven to be violating the regulation as reported, which was Bali resorts CBR, owned by Ni Luh Putu Kurniawati.

Dewa further explained that during the inspection, the team has expanded the target to 8 hotels instead of only 3 as reported. “For the time being we have warned them to stop their violation by building adequate waste treatment facility. We will closely monitor their progress. If they remain in negligence, we will be compelled to enforce the regional regulation of Bali No. 4/2005 on pollution and environmental damage. Penalty can be fine or revocation of operational license”, he said.

Another Jimbaran

Enjoying fresh sea food accompanied by the lullaby of crashing wavers is not an exclusive attribute of Jimbaran. In Jembrana, the westernmost regency of Bali, similar joy can be found at Pebuahan village, Banyubiru. Here culinary addicts can enjoy their meal in the constant sound of crashing waves whilst watching daily activity of local traditional fishermen.

Pebuahan village, located about 5 kilometers away from Negara, the capital of Jembrana regency, has translated itself into an alternative of family culinary adventure, as in addition to fresh sea food, especially grilled fish, visitors can enjoy authentic scene of Balinese traditional coastal village, including activities of local fishermen.

Visitors keep on coming to relax and enjoy special seafood dishes. On weekends and public holidays, visitors significantly increased, dominated by vacationing families. Visitor do not have to dig their pocket too deep to enjoy the seafood in authentic Pebuahan style. A portion of grilled fish with all of its accompaniments costs between 30K to 50K rupiah.

Hariyanto, owner of a seafood restaurant in the area said that he started his business about 4 years ago. “I started to sell grilled fish since about four years ago”, he said. Tens of visitors come tho his stall every day to enjoy his recipe. “I never had a day without a visitors. Everyday I sold about 30kg of fish, and increased up to 100kg over the weekends”, he said.

Governor Refused Komodo Relocation to Bali

Bali Governor, Made Mangku Pastika has finally agreed the recommendation of the Chairman of the House of Representatives (DPRD) of Bali, Ida Bagus Putu Wesnawa, with regard to plan to relocate komodo to Bali. “I do support DPRD in refusing the relocation as the right habitat for the species is in Komodo Island”, Governor Pastika said after an assembly to adjust Bali regional budget.

He also expressed an opposite opinion against reproduction as the reason for relocating komodo to Bali as expressed by the Minister of Forestry. He believes that the best place for genetic reproduction of the species is in its original habitat, not in Bali. “Beside, komodo has been the only trade mark of the East Nusa Tenggara which deserves protection”, he added.

Previously House Chairman Wesnawa expressed his support in refusing the relocation when he met Komodo Care Forum. The reason for the relocation, for reproduction at Bali Safari Park, as expressed by the Minister of Forestry, is considered improper. Komodo Care Forum believes that the reason is just an excuse to cover commercial interest. Therefore House Chairman Wesnawa sent a letter to the Minister of Forestry to refuse the relocation plan.

Meanwhile the general assembly has approved a deficit of Rp 353,637,815,803 in Bali budget of 2009. Revenue was adjusted by Rp 251,565,343,415 into Rp 1,661,108,445,333. Expense was adjusted by Rp 370,773,183,718 into Rp 2,014,746,261,136.

In a final review made by joint spokesman Gede Kesuma Putra, the house exposed several notes which require extra attention of the executive.

Preparation of Kuta Carnival 2009

The Regent of Badung, Anak Agung Gde Agung committed to support Kuta Carnival which will be held in the area under his administration. Regent's commitment was expressed when the organizing committee made a courtesy visit to his office. “We fully support any tourism promotion held in Badung, including Kuta Carnival”, Regent Gde Agung said. Regent Gde Agung was accompanied by Government Secretary, Wayan Subawa, District Head of Kuta, and Village Head of Legian and Seminyak.

Regent Gde Agung said that the annual Kuta Carnival which is coming into its 7th year has to be continued for its strategic support to tourism promotion of Badung, and therefore the Regency Government of Badung will give its best to support the event. “We have to hold Kuta Carnival every year, and should never miss a year out. Missing out an annual event like Kuta Carnival will affect other events as well as Bali tourism image”, he added.

The event is getting even more important to restore public trust after the terror attack at Mega Kuningan, Jakarta. Public turst will be affected of the event was cancelled. Regent Gde Agung said that his government will give both financial support as well as other facilities. “We will never decrease our support. We may even give more financial support than the previous years”, he said. However he refused to expose the exact figure. Last year in addition to injecting financial support, the Regency Government of Badung also waived promotion tax.

Regent Gde Agung reminded the organizing committee of Kuta Carnival to work hard for better quality, so Kuta Carnival can become a really high quality promotional event. “Kuta Carnival has to be well organized, including its events”, he said.

The Chairman of the Organizing Committee of Kuta Carnival, Ketut Nugra, expressed his appreciation for the Regent's commitment. Being a promotional event to maintain and improve brand image, Kuta Carnival needs support from the authority. Even with a number of potential cancellations from foreign participants, the committee remained in a full spirit to ensure every success of the event, and expected presence of the Minster for Culture of Tourism, Jero Wacik, to officially open the mega event on Saturday, September 19th.

As in the previous years, parade will take place at the last day on Sunday, September 27th along with closing ceremony by Regent Gde Agung.

Entrepreneurs have to Keep Up with Technology

To survive and win global competition, entrepreneurs have to keep themselves up with growth of science and technology, especially related to improving human resources. Bali Governor expressed the opinion in his addressing speech at the regional assembly of Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) Bali Chapter. The speech was read out by Deputy Governor A.A. Puspayoga.

Reliable human resource and professionalism in implementing strategic tactics as well as entrepreneurship of each and every Hipmi's members has to be actualized. The vision and mission of Hipmi Bali to serve as a gateway for new and young entrepreneurs in supporting national economy as well as to survive global competition should not be left as an idea, but to be implemented according to gradual plan.

There are six essential elements to be fully mastered to cope with global competition including wide knowledge, ability to analyze situation and choose the right strategic position, flexible, sensitive, and transparent.

Chairman of Hipmi Bali, Nyoman Seniweca said that the government's role especially in regulating business climate is essential. At the moment, business success is rarely coming as a result of government involvement in strengthening national economic structure. “Especially as at the moment job opportunities are very limited and number of unemployment is continuously soaring up”, he said.

Failure of the government to design a strategy to improve the situation, new entrepreneurs who started their business from informal state will not have opportunity to grow for lack of capital and access to both market and financial institutions. “As entrepreneurs the will end up struggling to survive and fail to make contribution to strengthening regional economy”, he said.

Restaurant Waste Damaged Coral Reef

Coral reef revitalization project at Kelan Beach, Tuban, is facing obstacles. Damages to coral reef caused by domestic waste as well as hotels and restaurant disposed directly to the sea were found at several locations.? The situation was exposed by The Head of Office for Husbandry, Fishery, and Marine of Badung Regency, I Made Badra. However he confirmed that revitalization project of 12 hectares of coral reef at Kelan Beach to continue. Unfortunately level of damages caused by hotel and restaurant waste in certain locations came into serious extent that solution to restore them has not even elaborated. Damages caused by similar reasons were also found at Kuta Reef and Tuban Reef.

Badra said that the government of Badung Regency continuously intensify protection of the sea. At the moment protection of reef and water quality is conducted by related institutions between Tuban and Legian. “We continuously monitor water quality to measure level of pollution including in Legian area”, he said. Back to coral reef at Kelan Beach, Badra promised that physical implementation of the revitalization effort will start to become visible within the next one month.

At the moment the team is constructing media. Research on species to be planted is also in progress. The effort is expected to be expanded up to Legian area. “Revitalization area will be continuously expanded and in the future will be developed for marine tourism”, he added. “Management will be later on handed over to fishermen groups”.

Car Free Day in Denpasar

Continuously increasing usage of motor vehicles in Bali, especially Denpasar as the main urban area, which which exceeded available roads has brought into various negative impacts including traffic jams, pollution, and global warming. Therefore the Joint Secretariat of Cycling Groups (SAMAS) which consists of 28 cycling groups suggests real action to promote cycling culture in Bali.

The idea was presented when the executives of SAMAS paid a visit to Bali Press House, Ketut Nadha, on Tuesday (July 28th). Advisor Jaya Kusuma, President Dewa Made Merthaloka, VP Bagus Purnamadi, VP Kadek Sudiarta, Secretary Endra Datta, and Treasurer Gusti Ngurah Budhita were welcomed by the Chairman of Bali Post Media Group, Satria Naradha.

Among the action was suggesting the Mayor of Denpasar to implement car free day in certain roads in Denpasar. The suggestion was positively responded by the Mayor. Car free day will be declared on August 15th 2009 by the Mayor of Denpasar at Puputan Square, Denpasar. Starting August 16th 2009, residents of Denpasar will start to enjoy car free day.

Satria Naradha expressed his positive respond toward the idea of restoring cycling culture in Bali. Whilst he realized that it will be difficult to be implemented in Bali, he expected the government to provide bicycle lane, especially for students. He believed that privision of bicycle lane has been an expression of appreciation to bicycle users.

Hotel Occupancy is Predicted to Decrease

Right after the recent incident of two bomb explosions at luxurious hotels in Jakarta, the Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) has conducted inventory of hotel occupancy in several areas of the country. The result show that there have been slight decrease in several larger cities and tourist destinations. However the decrease is predicted to extend in within a few months ahead.

Chairman of PHRI, Krisnadi exposed that whilst average occupancy remained beyon 66%, five star hotels are predicted to see a steep decrease of between 10 to 20% on foreign visitors. The situation is expected to go the opposite way in three-star hotels which mostly occupied by domestic guests. “It helps”, he said.

In detail, hotel occupancy rate at the moment are as follow: Jakarta 72%, Bali 82%, Batam 50%, Yogyakarta 75%, Surabaya 70%, Medan 70%, Manado 50%, and Makassar 65%. However the recent terror attack has brought serious fear to many people. Hundred of those planning a visit to Indonesia have canceled their trips.

“Hundred of Australians, Japaneses, and Europeans has confirmed their cancellations. Some of them were scheduled to have a meeting in Bali. We do hope the police to seriously takes care of the issue. The government has to show the same performance as when they were taking care of Bali bomb”, he explained.

Whilst he admitted that bomb can take place anywhere, speedy uncover by the authority can significantly ease its impact to hotel and restaurant industry. “The longer it takes the worse it affects hotel occupancy”, he said.

As an instiuion PHRI strongly comminates both the operatives and the masterminds of the terror attack. On the other side it expresses sincere condolences to the victims and their families. PHRI insists the government to quickly uncover, seize, and put everyone involved into justice. “More than giving bad image of Indonesian tourism, life of thousands of tourism workers are getting at risk for decreasing foreign tourist visits”, he added.

Authority Followed Up Contamination of Petitenget Estuary

As reported earlier, estuary located close to Petitenget has been heavily violated. Local residents believed that certain restaurants located in the area have disposed their waste directly to the river. Click here for previous report about this issue.

Badung Environment Agency (BLH Badung) and Administrative Police (Satpol PP Badung) have sealed waste gate of La Luciola Restaurant and Villa Samaya Seminyak as those waste gate were suspected to drain waste directly to the estuary.

Both government agencies led by the commander of Satpol PP Badung, Wayan Adi Arnawa came to the location for inspection after local residents complained about pollution of Petitenget estuary. During the inspection, the team found La Luciola Restaurant and Villa Samaya have waste drainage directly going to the estuary.

Operators tried to defend themselves by saying that the waste gate were not intended to dispose hazzardous waste. Representative of Villa Samaya management, IGN Wahyudi admitted that the waste gate was intended to dispose waste for their restaurant, however he deffended that the disposed material was not hazzardous. For hazzardous waste Villa Samaya has its own waste processing installation.

Meanwhile management of La Luciola restaurant, Deddy, refused that the drainage was used to dispose waste. He deffended by saying that the drainage was used only to direct rain water.

However the team ignored their excuse, especially as they found that the waste gates were flowing yellow colored waste. Adi Arnawa immediately instructed to seal those waste gates with cement. Both businesses were also warned to stop disposing their waste into the estuary. “It is a preliminary action. If they remain in ignorance, a more strict action will be enforced”, Arnawa threated.

Villa Development on Bali Valley is Stopped

Exploitation of land plots along the valley of Gianyar regency has never decreased. Construction of private villas in conservation area dedicated for water preservation such as Tegenungan at Sukawati districts of Gianyar keeps going on. Massive constructions even taking place on very dangerous elevating slopes and carrying on without holding permit from the government of Gianyar regency.

A villa development project next to Tegenungan bridge of Sukawati has just been ceased by Gianyar's administrative police (Satpol PP) on Monday (July 13th). More than built without permit, the project located on top of a valley also violates river setback regulation.

Commander of Satpol PP Gianyar, A.A. Oka Digjaya confirmed his action to cease the villa development after in an inspection the developer failed to show a valid permit. A project supervisor told BaliPost reporter that he has nothing to do with legality as the issue is under responsibility of the developer. Failure to show the permit has immediately led to suspension until a permit issued. Some equipments were seized to ensure suspension obbeyed.

Digjaya exposed that in addition to violation of regional regulation on building construction permit, the project also employs workers from outside the area without proper citizenship paperworks. “We have issued a preliminary warning and instructed them to have the paperwork completed before cosntruction started”, he said.

In Ubud area, Villa Puri Sekar Ayu, owned by local resident A.A. Ngurah Kesuma Wardana has received a warning as it was built without construction permit and one of its Ubud villas started to rent without operating license.

The Paradise for Money Laundering

Indonesia, including Bali, is currently considered as one of the best place for money laundering, especially related to enormous flow of investment in tourism industry all activity sectors.

Head of Bali Branch of Indonesian central bank, Viraguna Bagoes Oka, noted Bali as one of paradises for money laundering. “There is quite significant potential considering a lot of business investments in the area”, he told the press on Thursday, July 16th, after a discussion about money laundering.

He further pointed to the weak regulation giving chance for money laudering to take place unidentified. More than traditional way of money laundering such as banking, hotels, and foreign exchange, there is also significant potential in property sector. “Property transactions involved large volume foreign operatives”, he said.

Therefore he invited related stakeholders including banking industry in Bali to play active role in preventing money laundering by enforcing tight regulation. Impact of money laundering goes wider than just economy but also law and social issues. “We encourage banks to record details of their customers especially those involved in large transactions”, he said.

Bagoes Oka admitted that money launderings are quite difficult to identify, as the sum of large transaction can be splitted into smaller chunks involving many individuals. Among anticipation he suggested is close monitoring of customers' ID.

Deputy Director of the Central Bureau of Analysis and Reporting of Financial Transaction (PPATK), the body responsible for taking care money laundering cases, admitted that there are many issues which have not been included into the money laundering regulation, including property transactions which normally involve large sum. “This is something which we need to improve in the future”, he said.

He further exposed that there have been money laundering cases brought into the Court of Justice. “So far there have been about 700 cases forwarded by PPATK for police follow up”, he said. Meanwhile Bagoes Oka said that the central bank reported money laundering suspicions to PPATK for further follow up.

Development Programs of Karangasem

Getting closer to completion of cruise marina, Karangasem as a tourism destination has to prepare itself to make benefit from tourists visiting Bali on cruise ships. There have been many cruise agents asking about completion of the marina so they can put it in their schedule. The Regent of Karangasem, Wayan Geredeg exposed the situation during his roadshow on socialization of his development programs at Selat district.
He further informed that completion physical construction of the marina has became a commitment of both the central government and the provincial government of Bali, therefore his administration is heating in preparing supporting infrastructure, so Karangasem can take maximum benefit from the presence of the new marina. “The route between Putung and Manggis will become a tourist route to agro-tourism where tourists can taste snake-skin fruit wine, a new tourism icon which will be launched in Nusa Dua whist awaiting for approval from the drug and food supervisory board”, the Regent explained.

He further explained that analysis conducted by a number of travel agents as well as Indonesian Hotels and Restaurants Association (PHRI) concluded that there will be more tourists coming to Bali on cruise ships, and therefore building a marina at Tanah Ampo is considered a strategic step.

To maintain continuous business pace, the marina investors will operate jetfoil for public transportation, which will keep the marina busy on the days when no cruise ship lands.

With regard to snake-skin fruit, Regent Geredeg informed that still this year an processing machine will be imported from Australia aling with proparing investor, appointing distributor, supervision mechanism, and distribution system of raw material.

Karangasem is also planning to have representative art market built to international standard which will also presents traditional art performances.

Regent Geredeg expressed his appreciation to his people for significant decrease in poverty, from 3,629 poor household down to 2,883. Selat has been showning significant increase in ecomomic activity. Among other indicators is increasing price of land up to 100 million rupiah per are (100 sqm). Still on poverty alleviation, he exposed that his administration has been working hard to push poverty level by at least 30% to the end of 2010. By procentage Karangasem recorded 16% of poverty decreasement, higher than national average of 15%.

Violation by Five-Star Hotel in East Bali

Another occurance of violation by five star hotel development in East Bali has just taken place. A five star hotel located at the district of Kubu, Karangasem, has been operating for one month without holding permits. With regard to presence of the mentioned hotel, the Regent of Karangasem, Wayan Geredeg admitted that the issue has been up to his attention. “It is a pity that local residents in the area have never reported presence of a violating hotel in the area, they tried to hide it instead”, Regent Geredeg said.

Furthermore he exposed that he has warned the German investor as well as the local partner involved in the business. To the question whether the hotel will be stopped and even demolished, Regent Geredeg said “We have warned them, and it seems like that the Provincial Governor of Bali has done the same”. Unfortunately he refused to inform any plan for further actions.

Presence of the hotel which violated the zoning plan of Tulamben tourism area hs actually reported by local residents when the regent paid a visit to Kubu to expose his development program. In response to the report, the administrative police (Satpol PP) of Karangasem has visited the hotel to meet the investor about three weeks ago. However they left the hotel after a while and there has been no legal enforcement attempt conducted ever since.

An employee who has been worked for the hotel since April 1st 2009 told the press that there are 80 locals and 6 expatriates working at the hotel. He further explained that the hotel does not have any paperworks except a pricipal approval from the national bureau investment coordination (BKPM). More than having no permits, the hotel also violates beach setback regulation as its building reaches the beachline. To protect itself from tidal wave the hotel built concrete cribs along the shoreline.

2009

I'll be kicking around Alask in July, working on a forthcoming LPTV Roads Less Travelled program.

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Visit Lombok - Sumbawa 2012

Governor of West Nusa Tenggara, Muhammad Zainul Majdi, said that Visit Lombok - Sumbawa 2012 will be taken as the momentum to boost Lombok to become wa world class tourism destination in 2012. “Our will is to make Lombok a world class tourism destination by 2012″, he said when he launched Visit Lombok - Sumbawa 2012 in Jakarta.

Visit Lombok - Sumbawa 2012 will be officially declared by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono whicn will be accompanied with various supporting events such as planting pearl seeds and 5th International Ecotourism Business Forum which will bring 25 sellers from across the country to meet 20 buyers from 11 countries including UK, Germany, UAE, Thailand, Singapore, Korea, India, Hong Kong, France, Japan, and Indonesia.

Governor Majdi said that as a province rich of marine resources and beautiful beaches, the leading products which will be offered is eco-tourism including pearl farming and marine adventures in addition to culture, art, and traditional handicraft such as pottery and hand woven fabrics. “We have 15 point of interests both on the beach and the hillside”, he added.

Furthermore he expressed his confidence that Visit Lombok - Sumbawa program can generate more foreign and domestic tourists and increase popularity of the two inslands as preferable holiday destinations. “The impact we expect is getting Lombok a well known destination after Bali. In another way, after Bali, Lombok there will be Lombok which is ready to welcome tourist visits”, he said.

As a holiday destination Lombok has all people may want, scattering from the soaring mountain into deep at the bottom of the sea. Lombok is very well prepared to welcome tourists. The govenrment keeps in pushing their efforts to increase service quality as well as facilities. Various accommodation facilities are avalable, from homestay to five star hotels, event Lombok villas. International airport is underway and will be ready for inauguration soon.

The Director General of Tourism Marketing, Sapta Nirwandar, said that pearl farming will become the icon of Lombok tourism. Therfore systematic promotion is needed, started by Visit Lombok - Sumbawa 2012. “In the future Lombok will become the center for production and sales of the finest pearls in the world, it will beat Japan and Spain”, he said. At the end the program is expected to bring more tourist in. Statistic recorded visits of 450,000 tourists in 2008, and the government targets 530,000 in 2009.

President Opened the 31st Bali Arts Festival

Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, opened the 31st annual Bali Arts Festival on Saturday evening, June 13th 2009, by sounding “kulkul”, Balinese traditional way to call people for gathering, which then immediately followed by performance of colossal dance-drama titled “Bima Swarga”.

Like Bali Arts Festival (PKB) of previous years, the event was started by a parade involving all participants including delegates from every regencies and cities of Bali as well as those from other Indonesian provinces and other countries.

In his speech President Yudhoyono said that art and culture are part of nation's identity, and PKB which has been held for the 31st time expressed Balinese will to sustain it and therefore deserved appreciation. “Honelstly, from one year to another, we have been witnessing various attraction here which have always impressed me. I am impressed by the magnitude of Balinese cultural arts including continuously improved creativity. Every year I saw different scene, different creativity, and different moral and spiritual messages. It is absolutely impressive and well worth to be proud of”, he said.

President Yudhoyono further expected PKB to play its role to strengthen Bali's position as a center of tourism, center of culture, center of creativity, and bridge among different community across the globe. He underlined the fact that Bali was not only the pride of Balinese alone but also Indonesian. Bali was also adored by the whole world. Being the center of tourism activity attracting interest from the whole world, President Yudhoyono admitted that he had a significant hope on Bali to continue serving the leader and the center of tourism and creative economy, including the economy of Indonesian cultural products.

President Yudhoyono expressed is enthusiasim with the title of PKB this year “mulat sarire” which lierally meant return to identity for the glory of the nation and country. He believed that the theme held strong relevancy down to the root whilst expressed wide perspective related to values, cultural heritages, and nation's humanity.? Through the theme he expected to bring up views from two different perspective related to Indonesian national identity.

The first perspective related to official vision towards national identity. Indonesia had an identity as a nation with four basic consensuses to be fully implemented in daily life namely national ideology, constitution, natonal unity, and the concept of unity in diversity. Second perspective was history leading the nation into the way it appeared at the present time including heritages, ways of life, religions, culture, and a lot more, reflecting vast diversity requiring thorough understanding and acceptance.

President to Open the 31st Bali Art Festival

Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has been confirmed his presence to officially opens the 31st Bali Art Festival - locally known as PKB - at Bali Art Center, Denpasar, tomorrow night (Saturday, June 13th). The President will open the festival titled “Mulat Sarira” in a traditional way.

Confirmation on President's presence was announced by the secretary of the organizing committee, Made Santha, on Thursday (June 11th). “After an official speech the President will open the festival by ‘nepak kulkul'. Following official opening the President, VIP invitees, and general public will enjoy presetation of Mahabrata drama-dance titled Bima Siwaga”, Santha explained.

Different from the opening ceremony in the previous years when President or other high ranking officials in charge open the festival prior to cultural parede, this year President will open the festival at the festival venue, Bali Art Center.

The parade which is scheduled to take place on Saturday (June 13th), prior to official opening, will be officially launched by Bali Governor, also in a traditional ritual of twisting cakra in a stage located in front of Banjar Kayumanis Kaja. Parade will take a straight route along Jalan Surapati and Jalan Hayam Wuruk, and will finish at Banjar Bengkel.

Instead of only in front of the stage like the previous years, people can will enjoy performance of parade participants along the way. Line op has been set. First participant to start will be Siwa Nataraja dance by Indonesian Art Institute along with traditional drumb band Adi Merdangga. Behind them will be Jembrana, Karangasem, Buleleng, SOEI TV Japan, East Lampung, Denpasar, Tabanan, marching band of Udayana Univerity, Central Lombok, Badung, Bangli, West Kalimantan, East Java, Klungkung, and Gianyar.

Three stages have been erected in front of Banjar Kayumanis Kaja, Banjar Kelandis, and Banjar Kedaton.

Demand on Handicraft from Bali Increased

Global financial crisis did not seem to affect handicraft industry producing statues in Banyuwangi, East Java. Demand for their products from Bali remained stable so far, even tended to increase. Beyond Bali, similar situation also seen in various European markets.
At the beginning they were worried about impact of global financial crisis to their business, especially related to export of their products. “Fortunately our prediction was proven to be wrong. Demand on our products remain stable”, Atim Ismail, a handicraft producer in Banyuwangi told the press. Orders from Bali and European markets kept on flowing in. He even struggled in fasttracking his production to cover the demand.

Atim delivered 40 statues to Bali every month, of out which 50% were forwarded to Europe. Most popular were statue of Buddha and different sorts of godess. Almost all exported products were on those two forms. He was certain that most Europeans like Buddha in meditation pose.

Popular material was white stone brought in from Yogyakarta. Material supply was easy. Producer could get as much material delivered as they need at anytime. Easy to carve and popular as holly stone for its glossy white color, white stone was also free from moss.

Priced at between 2 to 8 million per piece depend on size and level of difficulty, a statue took about a week to complete. Atim employed 7 carvers at his studio. Interestingly Atim admitted that he was not making a lot of money out of his business. His main objective was to spread talent and wealth to the youth in his village, his very reason behind his relocation from Gianyar, Bali, to Kalipuro, Banyuwangi. “Obviously it is riskier to have the production in Banyuwangi. In addition to higher cost, transport risk is also quite high”, he explained.

Whilst he was enjoying 20-40 orders a month, he was unhappy with the fact that he could not sell his product directy to Europe. “We could not sell our product directly to Europe, we are dependant to? buying agents in Bali”, he said.

Wisata Dokar 2009

Cultural diversity is one of the main national asset and foundation of country development. Unfortunately along with rapid growth of development in various aspects has often swept the culture aside. Being one of traditional transportation mode, dokar is among many other thing in cultural diversity which has been abandoned most of activities.

Celebration of the 52nd anniversary of Udayana 9th Military Command has brought back the abandoned tradition by conducting Wisata Dokar 2009. Opened by the 9th Military Commander, Major General Hotmangaraja Panjaitan, 70 dokars participated the parade taking the route along Jalan Pantai Kuta, Jalan Melasti, Jalan Legian, Jalan Bunisari and back to jalan Pantai Kuta. The parade was followed by on-stage entertainment session.

The commander reminded that in heating up for development the country should never forgot the cultural diversity it has. More than one of many traditional transportation mode for centuries, dokar has been and is still a profession for many. This is the hard evidence that dokar is a real form of people economy. Therefore presence of sustainability of dokar is a communal responsibility. “We should never forget culture in developing our country, there are many of us relying their life on it. It is a form of people economy which we shall maintain and promote”, he said.
The commander furher reminded that people should do more than watching and enjoying entertaining cultural performances, but have to also appreciate the culture. “This event is conducted to promote togetherness between civilians and armed force to sustain dokar as a one of country's cultural heritage. Whetever profession we are in, we have to appreciate dokar driver as a profession and a business”, he said.

Stop Selling Arak

With the increasing death toll for consuming poisonous arak - Balinese traditional alcoholic brew - arak sellers started to worried in continuing their business. In fact, stopping arak trade - and other alcoholic beverage - publicly has been a must for long, as in the long run it will bring negative impact to behavior of young generation.

It the tourist spot of Kuta and Legian, operator of night clubs have stopped selling arak, despite the fact that arak and all variation of different mixes were quite popular to both local and foreign visitors. Before many discotheque and bars offered this type of brew for their clients. In most cases, arak was served in mix with other ingredients, and offered at a significantly cheaper price than imported beverages, the very reason of its popularity.

However with continuously increasing death toll operators of night clubs in Kuta and Legian preferred to avoid risk by providing arak. Manager of Engine Room discotheque in Legian, Putu Meste, said that he has immediately decided to stop purchasing supply and and provising arak. Termination was intended to anticipate unexpected impack of more victims of arak. “We have stopped since four months ago. And it is not only us, other operators around Legian area have taken similar policy”, he said.

Definitely Engine Room continued to provide other alcoholic beverages especially the ones imported through legal channel. “Quality of imported beverages instead of running into trouble”, he added.

Manager of Deja'Vu, Irmawan Pujiyanto Putra said that his night club only sell legalized imported and local alcoholic beverages such as vodka and gin. He said that Deja'Vu has no longer provided arak. Whilst he admitted that that there were some occassional request for arak, but he could only responded by telling that arak was no longer available. “We do not sell arak any longer. Not many visitors order, and its quality is on question as well. We are worried that mixed arak will endanger visitors' life”, he said.

World Travel Blog launched

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