(4/9/2011)
The final fate of the Best Western Hotel Kuta - ordered to close by the Badung government on Monday, April 4, 2011, is reported by Radar Bali to be awaiting a final letter from the regent, A.A. Gde Agung, which would clear the way for a forcible "sealing" of the property.
Such a letter, however, remains pending, awaiting the return of the regent from a course organized by the central government.
The chief of Badung's enforcement agency (Kasatpol), Ketut Martha, said his officers are ready to close the hotel down but procedures demands that any final order to do so come directly from the regent.
Martha said that a number of technical issues regarding the shutdown must be addressed in any close-down of the hotel. Among the considerations are how to minimize any inconvenience to guests, electricity, water and the welfare of terminated staff.
No one in the regent's office was prepared to tell Radar Bali when the regent would return to his office, except to say it would be during the week.
Given 7 days to close on April 4th in a formal letter from the regent, the Best Western Kuta still continued to receive new guests during the week leading to April 11, 2011.
In a separate report in Nusa Bali, the owner of the hotel, Wayan Wijana, admitted that his hotel continues to operate despite having received the formal notification of closure.
Said Wijana: "I can't say anything at this time. But as a citizen of Badung I have to follow the rules. Indeed, based on the letter I should close today (Monday, April 4). But closing a business is not like turning off the lights; pulling the plug after your activity is finished."
Wijana said he will await future developments so he can determine what to do with more than 200 employees. Wijana also said the closure of the hotel will potentially affect Bali's reputation as a tourist destination.
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