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Management Closes Golf Course as Union Signals Readiness to Return to Work.
A strike by 200 employees of the Bali Handara Kosaido Country Club (BHKCC) in the mountain-lake district of Bali near Bedugil has stopped play at the world-class facility since Monday, January 14, 2008. Workers are reportedly striking over demands for a reinstatement of severance policies and a demand that two managers at the Club be fired.
According to the Bali Post, the continuing inability to reach an accord between management and staff at the hotel-golf resort has caused the management to declare a "holiday" (closure) of the BHKCC for an indefinite period.
Sutiono, the attorney for PT Sarana Buana Handara, the management company of BHKCC told the Bali Post that the Company was compelled to close the Club due to the continuing deadlock in talks and in order to allow the Company's director in Jakarta to consider the worker's demands.
In order protect the property a large contingent of private security staff and police from the post at Buleleng, North Bali.
According to press reports, golfers turned away for the championship course and those staying at the resort are claiming compensation from BHKCC.
Meanwhile, the head of the Union at BHKCC, Nyoman Suparna told the press that he yet to receive a letter from Management advising of closure of the property, indicating that his staff was prepared to stop their action and return to work. Suparna also said that the Union is prepared to receive Management's offer of negotiations leading to a joint labor agreement. "We accept the offer of management where management will pay the shortfall in severance paid to staff who entered their pension period in 2007 and we will continue our negotiations," said Suparna.
Better Buildings for Bali's Police Force
Chief Purwoko Inaugurates New HQ and 4 New Police Facilities Across Bali.
Bali's Chief of Police, Inspector General Paulus Purwoko formally christened a new four-storey headquarters on Jalan WR Supratman in dowtown Denpasar on Monday, January 14, 2008.
The 2,848 square meter building costing Rp. 8.3 billion (US$892,500) was built in 180 days and houses a lobby and reception area on level one; the Directorate of Traffic (Lantas) on level two; police patrol management (Samapta) on level three; and the operatrion center for the anti-terror group (Densus 88) on level four.
At the opening of the new building at Bali's police headquarters, Chief Purwoko also symbolically inaugurated a new precinct office for Kuta, the Police Hospital (RS Trujata), a precinct office for Mendoyo and a police housing facility at Siririt in North Bali.
Purwoko revealed that the cost of the entire new building project was Rp. 17 billion (US$1.83 million) provided from the State budget.
Two Generations
Father and Son Art Exhibition at Four Season's Ganesha Gallery February 11 - March 6, 2008.
"Two Generations" offers a rare opportunity of comparing the work of two equally talented painters - Roesli Hakim and his son, Teguh Ritma Iman.
Born in northern Sumatra in 1936, Roesli, belongs to the generation of painters who came of age in the heady but tumultuous years that followed Indonesian independence. An autodidact, his first art job was painting Chinese calligraphy on sign boards for shop houses of Medan. In 1956 he undertook a program of study in Yogyakarta, a major art center in Indonesia, where he met numerous painting masters, such as the expressionist Affandi. During the troubled years that followed the fall of Sukarno he would move to Bali where he would first
study and then teach art at the National Art Academy. Along the way, Roesli participated in numerous exhibitions.
Click Images to Enlarge
Growing-up in such an environment, it comes as no surprise that the natural artistic inclinations of Iman, Roesli's son, were stimulated and nurtured. Like his father, he would study in Yogyakarta graduating from Institut Seni Indonesia (ISI), the prestigious Academy of Arts in 1996, where he graduated with honors.
The work of Roesli and Iman shows the continuity and contrast that mirrors their common heritage and individual experiences. Both are figurative lyricists whose compositions seek to capture an ideal moment in time.
The Elder, Roesli, is especially respected as a landscape artist. Humans and architecture are often featured but usually dwarfed, such as in his work depicting fisherman and boats. The exception can be found in his market scenes.
Meanwhile, it is easy to speculate that Iman's primary focus is on group portraits, weaving human emotions and human interaction. He particularly enjoys exploring the relationship shared between women and children.
The techniques and styles employed by father and son are markedly different.
Roesli's work is impressionistic. Like the Pointillists, he relies on small dabs of pure color resulting in a shimmering effect exuding light and atmosphere. Iman, on the other hand, relies on large flat fields of bright colors which he fractures and softens with colored patterns, like the tumbling leaf shapes seen in his backgrounds. Unlike his father there is no pretense of dimensionality or naturalism. In many ways his work resembles tapestries or mosaics.
In medieval Europe families of artists continuing "the family business" was not uncommon. This was also the case in traditional Indonesian society.
However, today it is rare to find a family tradition of painting. Both Roesli and Iman have achieved individual recognition in Indonesia and abroad as artists. The current exhibition at the Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay celebrates the inevitable bond between generations that can enrich and inspire in new directions.
"Two Generations"
An Exhibition by Roesli Hakim and Teguh Ritma Iman
February 11 - March 6, 2008
Ganesha Gallery at the Four Seasons Resort at Jimbaran Bay
For more information telephone ++62-(0)361-701010.
New Regulations Promised for Foreign Land Ownership
Government Officials and Head of Bali's Notary Association Warns that Foreign Land Ownership is a Threat to National Security.
The Indonesia Government is calling on notaries to exercise more caution in the issuance of property deeds of transfer in order to safeguard the nation against threats to its sovereignty, morality and sense of nationalism represented by the growing ownership of land by foreigners in Bali.
That call was made by the 2nd Deputy for the Issuance of Deeds and Titles of the National Defense Agency (BPN), Bambang Eko, when he addressed a meeting of notaries held in Bali on Wednesday, January 16, 2008. "If the current situation continues, one century into the future our land will become the inheritance of foreigners," warned Bambang.
Because of this, Bambang has ordered notaries to be more diligent and take a closer look before issuing land certificates in Indonesia. Said Bambang: "This is closely connected to morality, it's not merely a material issue. What's more, if this is allowed to continue the worth and standing of the Indonesian people will be damaged."
In Indonesia notaries who issue deeds of transfer and articles of incorporation are appointed agents of the Government.
Acknowledging that many foreigners want to own land in Bali, Bambang announced that his office would soon issue a new regulation that will clarify the limits and requirements for foreigners wishing to reside with land in Bali.
The head of the Bali Notary Association (IPPAT-Bali), I Gusti Ngurah Agung Diatmika, issued his support for the promised new regulations, adding his own warning that Bali faces the very real possibility of being owned by foreigners held in the names of local nominees.
The comments by Bambang Eko and I Gust Ngurah Agung Diatmika were reported in NusaBali.
Diatmika emphasized that changes must be made in the internal procedures used by Bali's notaries, saying: "The public's faith in us (notaries) continues to decline because they are often losing their land use (hak pakai) and ownership (hak milik) before the courts. Because of this, our main duty for the near future is to regain the faith of the people by providing them with the certainty of the law."
Airport Service Charge to Increase?
If Approved, Jakarta International Passengers will Pay Rp. 150,000 and Domestic Passengers Rp. 45.000 in Departutr Tax.
Angkasa Pura I - the government-owned operating authorities for all Indonesian airports is seeking government approval to increase passenger service charges by 50% for Jakarta, bring charges for international passengers in line with those already in place in Bali.
The Chief Director of PT Angkasa Pura II Edie Haryoto told Bisnis Indonesia that an application would also be made to the Department of Transportation to allow an increase of 50% for domestic passenger service charges and international passengers.
The proposed increase, according to Haryoto, is needed to improve facilities and services.
Angkasa Pura is lobbying for the proposed increase with various groups within the community, including the Indonesian Consumers Protection Agency (YLK) before submitting a formal request to the Government.
Current Charges
Angkasa Pura currently charges passengers flying from Jakarta Rp 100,000 (US$10.75) for international departures and Rp. 30,000 (US$3.25) for domestic passengers. The new tariff, if approved, would Bring Jakarta into line with Bali charging Rp. 150,000 (US$16) for international passengers but charging Rp. 45,000 (US$4.85) for domestic passengers. Bali still charges Rp. 30,000 for domestic passengers.
Similar percentage increases are likely to apply at all other airport in the country.
Many assume that if approved, domestic passenger servic charges in Bali would quickly be increased to Rp. 45,000.
Haryoto has promised improved facilities and better services in the form of x-ray machines, cleaner toilers and more security staff should the increase be granted.
Visa-Free Facility Proposed for 10 Countries
Ministry of Culture and Tourism Seeks Inter-Departmental Support in Order to Achieve 7 Million Foreign Visitors in 2008.
Travel Trade Gazette's (TTG) Mimi Hudoyo reports that the Indonesian Department of Culture and Tourism is seeking agreement to change current visa regulations to permit visa-free short visits from 10 countries.
If the proposal submitted to the Ministry of Law and Human Rights is successful, the citizens of Australia, China, Japan, South Korea, India, U.K., Germany, France, the Netherlands and Russia would be able to undertake holiday visits without having to purchase either a 7 or 30-day visa at the Indonesian port of entry as required under the visa-on-arrival policy now in place. Currently, 63 countries are eligible to pay a fee of US$10 for a 7-day visa or US$25 for a 30-day visa.
According to TTG, the move by the Ministry is in support of the goal to bring 7 million foreign tourists to Indonesia in 2008. "Other efforts include increasing immigration counters at Soekarno-Hatta Jakarta and Ngurah Rai Bali airports; encouraging airlines, both domestic and international, to open or increase services to tourist detonations; and placing multilingual information boards (Arabic, Japanese and Mandarin other than English and Bahasa Indonesia) in the two major airports," reports TTG.
Flush with Success
Tourism and Culture Minister's Wife Launches National Clean Toilet Campaign.
As a concrete element of the current Visit Indonesia Year 2008 (VIY 2008) movement, the Indonesian Department of Culture and Tourism has established a special task force for cleaner toilets headed by Trisna Wacik, the wife of Minister Jero Wacik.
According to Ibu Wacik quoted in Bisnis Indonesia, her clean toilet campaign requires the active participation of the general public in order to make VIY 2008 a success. Explain Ibu Wacik, "the program launched last year focused on cleaner toilets at international airports in Indonesia, but this year we will widen the effort to include tourism destinations and we hope the public will participate by safeguarding the cleanliness of public toilets in malls and other places."
Serious in making her program for clean toilets a success, Ibu Wacik has joined forces with the Indonesian Association of Toilets (ATI) while reminding all concerned that cleanliness of public lavatories will also provide a positive reflection of Indonesia's national culture.
The Department of Culture and Tourism in cooperation with ATI have published a booklet of guidelines for clean toilets. "International standards provided by the World Toilet Association," explained Ibu Wacik, "stipulate that toilers should use sensors linked to automatic flushing devices, toilet doors should open to the outside and toilet stall doors should begin 20 cm above the floor."
Ibu Wacik told Bisnis Indonesia: "I hope the 'clean toilet' program can become a national movement, such as the tree planting program launched last year by Indonesia's First Lady Ani Yudhoyono. We must protect the environment by planting trees and our national image by safeguarding cleanliness and public order."
Bali's Bitter Cup to Drink
Over Development Threatening Bali's Subterranean Fresh Water Supply.
Badung Regency and Denpasar officials have issued a warning that uncontrolled use of wells are resulting in the intrusion of salt water into the Island's precious water table.
The Head of the Water Resource and Village Infrastructure Section of the Public Works Department, IGN Sura Adnyana, is blaming Bali's rapid rate of new investment and the unmonitored use of wells. "In any case," said Adnyana, "what's clear is that Denpasar and Badung must be very careful in how it uses subterranean fresh water supplies."
As a precautionary step, the provincial government of Bali is finalizing plans for the construction of holding damns at 4 river sources on the island to provide an alternative to tapping into sub-surface sources.
A local environmental observer, Drs. KG Dharma Putra, told the Bali Post that the use of subterranean water sources has become critical in Bali with many illegally sinking wells in areas prone to salt-water intrusion. "We must soon limit the use of subterranean water in areas prone to intrusion," warned Dharma Putra.
Dharma Putra, who heads an environmental study group at Bali's Udayana University supports the initiative to build holding dams on Bali's rivers, calling on local administrators to intensively lobby the National Government to pay more attention to protecting Bali's environment, including its water resources.
Search Halted for Missing Students on Mount Agung
Three Week Search Halted on Sacred Mt. Agung for Mountain Trekkers During Galungan-Kuningan Observances.
The search on Bali's Mount Agung for 2 missing students from Bandung's Widyatama University - Eko Saputra Sudirman and Yunita Indah Savitri has been halted.
As reported on Balidiscovery.com, [See: 3 Students Missing on Mt. Agung] 3 trekkers went missing on December 26, 2007, with a search effort commenced on December 30, 2007. The body of one of the hikers, Muhammad Ikbal (21) was discovered by searchers on January 6th but the remaining 2 students are still missing.
The decision to halt search efforts on Mount Agung is connected with Balinese celebrations of Galungan and Kuningan and the belief that the mountain, considered sacred by Balinese Hindus, must remain undisturbed during this period of religious observance. Accordingly, search efforts ceased on Thursday, January 18, 2008, and will be re-commenced on February 5, 2007.
A local spokesperson for the Bali Search and Rescue Team (SAR) defended the decision to stop the search. According to the Head of SAR for Bali, Ketut Parwa, search efforts are normally conducted for only 7 days after a disappearance but was extended after the recovery of one body and at the request of the still-missing students.
A police examination of the remains of Iqbal indicate the man died from injuries sustained from a fall and exposure to the elements.
Bali to Host Bird Flu Summit
H5N1 - Avian Flu - Experts to Meet in Bali March 27-28, 2008.
The State News Agency ANTARA reports that world experts on Bird Flu (H5N1) will gather in Bali later this year.
Organized by New Fields Exhibitions, Inc., the conference will bring together companies working in the fields of Avian Influenza Prevention, scientist and government health officials. Among the topics to be discussed are prevention, planning for pandemic handling and care for those infected with the disease.
Seeking to identify "best practice" among those working in the field internationally, the conference will be held in Bali March 27-28 and is the fifth in a series of similar meetings. Past summits have attracted a distinguished list of experts, including Dr. David Nabarro, the U.N. Coordinator for Avian and Human Influenza, Alex Thiermann of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), Wenqing Zhang of the WHO Epidemic and Pandemic Alert and Response, Adolfo Garcia-Sastre of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, John Thompson of the National Sheriffs Association, Prof. Oleg I. Kiselev of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Anna Thorson of Sweden's Karolinska Institute and Dr. Bruce Stewart-Brown, Vice President of Food Safety and Quality for Perdue Farms.
The Made Djelantik Collection
Bali's Agung Rai Museum in Ubud Opens Permanent Exhibition Dedicated to the Memory of One of the Island's Most Remarkable Sons.
15 Paintings of the late Dr. A.A. Made Djelantik now form part of a permanent exhibit at the Museum Agung Rai in Ubud, Bali.
As reported on Balidiscovery.com, the much-loved and respected Djelantik died on September 4, 2007 [See: Good-night, Sweet Prince] in Denpasar at the age of 88 after a long illness.
A man of many parts, Dr. Djelantik was a member of Balinese royalty, a medical practitioner, a leading world expert on malarial disease, author and artist.
According to a member of the Djelantik family, the 15 paintings on display in the "Djelantik Collection" will be periodically rotated with the 60 total paintings which appeared as illustrations in the late Doctor's autobiography.
The creation of a special exhibition area for Dr. Djelantik at the Agung Rai Museum, according to the owner and namesake of the museum - Agung Rai, reflects the growing development of Balinese culture. Referring to the Doctor Djelantik's family ties to the largest royal family of Bali and Lombok, Rai said: "Djelantik's life was very unique and quite dramatic. He was the first Balinese to study medicine in Holland and faced many challenges in his life."
The Agung Rai Museum is located on Jalan Pengosekan in Ubud, Bali. Telephone ++62-(0)361-975742.
Bali to Spend US$538,000 on Tourism Promotion
Bali Targeting 1.9 million Foreign Tourists for 2008.
Tempo Interaktif reports that the Provincial Government of Bali will spend Rp. 5 billion (US$538,000) on tourism promotion from a total tourism budget of Rp. 11 billion (US$1.18 million) for the Island.
The Head of the Bali Tourism Authority, Gde Nurjaya told Tempo that Bali is targeting 1.9 foreign visitors in 2008, explaining, "that is a realistic figure because last year the number of foreign tourists hit 1.6 million."
The 2007 figures represented a marked improvement from 2006 when 1.2 million (Editor: 1.26 million) foreign visitors came to Bali.
In order to reach the 1.9 million target for Bali for 2008, Bali's tourism promotion program will include participation in overseas travel marts, promotional publications, inviting foreign journalists to Bali and support of the Visit Indonesia Year 2008 program being conducted by the National government. In all, the Bali Tourism Authority is preparing 18 separate promotional activities for the current year.
The Coordinator of the Bali Tourism Board (BTB), Ngurah Wijaya, has called on the government to repair Bali's tourism objects and general infrastructure. "The objects (tourism) managed by the people and the government continue to decline in quality," said Wijaya. To further make his point Wijaya pointed to the Kuta area of Bali which he feels in becoming increasingly chaotic and dirty, despite that area's iconic role in Bali tourism.
Ngurah Wijaya said the condition of Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport and public roads across the island demonstrate the need for more attention to be paid to the Island's infrastructure.
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