BALI UPDATE #318 - 21 October 2002

How to Frustrate A Terrorist

The Terrorists Have Fled, Leaving an Island Determined to Remain United.

Smug and depraved, the evil people behind the bomb blast in Legian on October 12^th must have harbored the hope that in the wake of the blast the people of Bali would run amuck, striking out blindly against minority groups on the island precipitating an endless cycle of mindless retaliation. Using their blueprint tested and tried in Ambon, Sulawesi, and Kalimantan - they no doubt believed that the explosion on Bali's main street would serve to ignite a full fledge state of war on the island.

They Could Not Have Been More Wrong!

In an ironic miscalculation, the bigots behind the blast who lit the fuse that killed and injured hundreds of innocents, also managed to bring out the very best in an island and its people.

What Can I Do to Help?

In the hours and days immediately following the incident, the words that seemed to be on everyone’s lips were: "what can I do to help?"

Private cars and vehicles were organized to deliver the dead and injured to local clinics and hospitals. People with any sort of medical training together with doctors and nurses on vacation in Bali showed up at the General Hospital pleading to be given a role to play. In response to appeals for blood donations, lines formed at the hospital's blood bank where people contested for the privilege to be allowed to donate their blood. Storage containers and ice were donated to help preserve the bodies of the dead. The local hotel association gathered sheets, towels, and bedding much needed by the hospital. Local housekeeping staff from hotels came to donate their services to help keep the hospital clean. Local youth set up a missing persons' bureau. Restaurants sent food and drink to volunteers and families at the busy hospital. The hospital's cashier office shut its door as the hospital refused payment for the services provided to the victims of the outrage. This was an island united. This was Bali at its best.

A Spiritual Island

The Balinese cosmos, comprised of Sekala and Niskala - the physical and spiritual planes, were left in total disarray and confusion by the outrage. It was as though God himself was angry that His guiding precept of Tri Hita Kirana - balance and harmony between Man and Man, Man and God, and Man and Nature – had, through the perpetration of this heinous deed, been so completely ignored. The Balinese universe was completely out of synch.

In times, such as these, the Balinese turn to God, asking forgiveness that any fellow member of our species could arrogate to himself the right to create such violent upheaval. Continuous prayers and meditations have been offered, both at the scene of the tragedy and at each of all the major temples of the island. Respectful members of the Christian, Islamic, and other faiths celebrated by the people of Bali were warmly welcomed at these ceremonies, united in the knowledge that we were all equally victims of the atrocity.

On Friday evening the sacred Byakon, Durmanggala and Prayascita rituals were performed at the bomb crater in Legian in an effort to purify the community and restore some sense of balance to the daily spiritual life of the island.

Nearly 20 high priests, or pemangku, gathered at the scene from the 3 main temples of Bali to officiate at the rites, bringing with them holy waters from six sacred sources on the island. Through sacred incantations in ancient Sanskrit, meditations and prayers floated on the fragrance of burning incense, and sacred holy waters drawn from Bali's underworld - Sekala and Neskala were rejoined and the slow path to cosmic balance commenced.

Organized prayer services have become daily occurrences in Denpasar's City center, at local places of worship, and on the island's beaches. Candlelight vigils joined by hundreds filled the beach at Kuta on Sunday night.

On November 15^th, the entire community together with the representatives of the grieving families, will conduct a massive Tawar Agung ceremony intended to release the souls of the dead to the next stage of their spiritual perfection.

While the men who love to hate and hate to love may have spoken on the evening of October 12^th, the people of Bali will have the final say on how that tragic day will be remembered and what will be its final effect on their island.

Bali Disaster Relief

Just Some of the Ways to Join the Relief Efforts.

There has been a massive outpouring of concern from people around the world asking what they can do to assist in Bali's hour of need. The number of groups working on behalf of community relief on the island are many, here is our short list of charities worthy of your consideration:

Bali Hati Foundation

This is a long-established charitable foundation in Bali working with the poor and needy who are now also focusing on the needs of the local victims of the outrage. Cash donations to Bali Hati can be left at the Casa Luna Restaurant in downtown Ubud or forwarded to the following bank account:

Bali Hati - Bank Bali - Branch No. 615

Cabang Ubud Gianyar, Indonesia

Account No. 580 125 7420

Swift code: BBBAIDJA

Account name: Ketut Sua Ananda for Bali Ubud Disaster Relief



Donations in the United States can be made in the form of checks made payable to The Bali Hati Foundation, Attn: Mr. Max Lloyd, 401 El Caminito, Carmel Valley, CA 93924.

The Bali Hati Foundation is legally registered in the United States under the National Heritage Foundation. Receipts will be issued to U.S. contributors as a U.S. tax deductible donation. Printable Donation Form

Rotary Club

A member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Bali and the General Manager of Continental Airline, Mr. Eric Kaler serves as the treasurer for the Rotary Club of Bali Nusa Dua. That organization is working directly with the doctors of Sanglah Hospital and medical suppliers from overseas.

Donations to Rotary on behalf of Bali relief can be made to: Bank Central Asia – KCU Kuta, Account Number 1461141213, Attn: Eric Carl Kaler, Treasurer, RCNND.

Australian Red Cross Bali Appeal

The Australian Red Cross have launched a special Bali appeal for the victims of the disaster and their families. For more information visit Australian Red Cross.

Minister: Considered Approach in Travel Bans

Ardika: Fight Terrorism Not Indonesia.

Speaking at a meeting of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) in Surakarta, Central Java, the week after the tragic bomb blast in Bali, Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism, I Gede Ardika has called for a considered approach by foreign powers in issuing their travel bans and warnings pertaining to the country.

Reminding the world that Bali and Indonesia were also victims of the terrorist attacks and that the goal of the perpetrators was economic disruption, the Minister suggested one of the means to fight the threat of terrorism is to support his efforts to rebuild tourism in the wake of the attack.

Minister Ardika said, "we ask for the understanding and assistance of the world to come to the aid of the Balinese people who love and cherish peace. It makes no sense to isolate them (the people of Bali). If we compare, when the WTC was attacked no one issued a travel ban on the U.S.A., did they?"

Nail a Terrorist and Get AU$ 2 Million

Australians Post Bounty on Head of Bali Killers.

Australia's Attorney General, Daryl Williams, has announced an AU$ 2 million (US$ 1.1 million) reward to people able to provide information assisting Indonesian and Australian police in the capture of those responsible for the nearly 200 deaths.

Meanwhile, evidence continues to mount of an Al-Qaeda and Jamaah Islamiyah links to the bombing in the entertainment section of Legian-Kuta. The Australian government has formally applied to the United Nations to brand Jamaah Islamiyah as an international terrorist organization allowing criminal pursuit of that organization's members and the freezing of its assets.

Just one week after the bomb blast, President Megawati signed into law a sweeping anti-terrorist law that will be retroactive in its application to include those who committed the Bali bomb blast outrage.

There's a message here: The terrorists can run but they cannot hide.

More information: Bali's Top Cop Put His Job on the Line

All Visa Changes on Hold

Foreign Minister Says No Change to Visa Policy Following Bali Tragedy.

Indonesia's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hassan Wirayuda, has put to rest – at least for the time being - concerns that a change in the current two month visa-free facility extended to 48 countries was imminent.

In a seeming response to the terrorist bombing of October 12^th, the Foreign Affairs Minister and Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the Coordinating Minister for Political and Social Affairs, have issued assurances that the changes lobbied for by Justice and Human Rights Minister, Yusril Ihza Mahendra, to the current visa policy are now on indefinite hold. Minister Mahendra had been leading a move to reduce the current stay permit from 60 to only 30 days and require visitors from most nations to obtain visas for their Indonesian visits.

The government will be increasing controls at the nation's gateways as a security precaution following the terror attack. These controls will include increased screening of foreigners considered potential threats to state security.

Labor Minister Casts A Cloud

Manpower Minister: 50% Unemployment Possible in Bali Tourism Industry.

During meetings held with members of Parliament in the days following the Bali bomb attack, Indonesian Minister of Manpower and Transmigration, Jacob Nuwa Wea, has projected that as many of 50% of the Balinese employed in the tourism sector may lose their jobs if Bali tourism fails to recover within one year's time.

The Minister predicted that as many as 300,000 workers in the hotel, restaurant and recreational sectors could be terminated if international visitors continued to stay away from the island for a protracted period.

The Minister said his department was busy trying to take anticipatory steps to help those who might lose their jobs including establishing retraining programs in the agricultural sectors and exposure to entrepreneurial management. Admitting it is difficult to channel tourism workers into agricultural fields of work, Minister Wea said that this represented the extent of what the government is able to do in such a situation.

Flying the Flag for Bali

Bali Travel Professionals Depart for Bangkok to Attend Major Conference Exhibition.

Determined to fly the colors of Bali and do everything possible to accelerate the recovering of the island's tourism industry, a large contingent of hoteliers and travel operators are traveling to Bangkok, Thailand to participate in the Incentive Travel & Conventions Meetings Asia (IT&CMA) exhibition being held there October 23-25, 2002.

Determined to show a united front in defending the island, the Balinese participants have made urgent last minute arrangements with the show's organizers to permit all the Balinese booths to display in close proximity to each other.

Refusing to Capitulate to Terror

In a statement issued by the Balinese delegation, the participants said, "Despite the despicable blow recently visited upon innocent vacationers and world tourism in general, the people of Bali and their vital tourism industry defiantly refuse to give in to this intimidation by cowardly terrorists."

Unbowed and demonstrating remarkable and laudable resilience, the Bali contingent at IT&CMA will be the largest ever at the event, with the following Bali companies participating: Bali Discovery Tours; Balihai Resort & Spa; Bali Hilton International; Bali InterContinental Resort; Bali Travelindo Wisata; Bali World Travel; Discovery Kartika Plaza Hotel; Grand Mirage Resort; Dimensions in Bali; Hotel Padma Bali; Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa; Pita Maha Resort; Radisson Bali Hotel and Suites; Sheraton Nusa Indah Resort – Bali International Convention Center; and Surya Jaya Convex.

A special book entitled "Messages for Bali" will be available at the Bali booths for those wishing to leave their messages of hope and friendship for the people of Bali.

The Bali Pavilion and Bali MICE Initiative stands will be at stands #104 and 202 at IT&CMA in Bangkok.

Bali’s Still the Best

Local Officials Receive an Award and Ask the World Not to Desert Paradise.

Two top envoys of Bali tourism traveled to Singapore on Wednesday, October 16, 2002, to receive an award from Time Magazine naming the island of Bali as Asia's "Favorite Holiday Destination" as determined by a poll of the readers of the weekly news magazine. The Time's Magazine Readers Choice Awards Survey" was carried out via response questionnaires carried in five editions of the magazine in April and May of this year.

In the survey, responded to by 3,411 readers, Bali was chosen as the reader's favorite holiday destination with Singapore and Bangkok ranking as 1^st and 2^nd runners up, respectively.

Traveling to Singapore to accept the award on behalf of Bali were Mr. Setyanto Santoso, Chairman of the Indonesian Culture and Tourism Board, and Mr. Anak Agung Gede Rai representing the Bali Tourism Board.

Please Come to Bali

In accepting the award, Mr. Rai was quoted in a story carried by the Associated Press saying, "We hope to tell all our friends around the world, around the globe: 'Please come to Bali, don't stop traveling, don't stop visiting Bali."

Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Santoso, said, "Bali is the soul of our tourism industry" indicating his optimism that people would eventually return once the island "emerges from its sorrow," the dead and missing are accounted for, and the authorities formally arrest the perpetrator of the outrage.

Air Paradise Launch Delayed Again

Another Bali Bomb Blast Victim – The Premiere of Bali's First Airline.

Air Paradise, a new air carrier owned by Bali businessman Kadek Wiranatha, is the latest casualty of the tragic bomb blast that shook Bali and the world on October 12^th.

Scheduled to commence service between the cities of Perth and Melbourne in Australia and the island of Bali on October 27, 2002, a decision was made to delay the airline's launch until further notice as the result of the Bali bomb attack.

According to the operators, some 10,000 advance sale tickets had been purchased by holidaymakers taking advantage of the bargain fares offered in connection with the commencement of service with an Airbus 310-300 aircraft. All passengers holding tickets are now being issued with full refunds.

Air Paradise promises to revisit their new air service once the effects of the Bali bomb blast on passenger flows between Australia and Bali become clear.

In a related development, both Garuda Indonesia and Qantas, the other air carriers flying to Bali from Australia, have promised to refund all holiday flights without penalty for passengers wishing to defer or cancel their Bali holidays.