Van Zorge Heffernan & Associates--In partnership with the Asian Wall Street Journal and backed by some of region's largest corporations such as CIMB of Malaysia, ASEAN DIALOGUES is a premier VIP forum for business executives to explore and gain deep insights into some of the more critical issues shaping Southeast Asia's economies, business and politics that will be held in Bali October 28-29, 2011.

This year's ASEAN DIALOGUES will focus on helping leaders who need to think strategically about how economic and political forces taking place outside their country can impact their businesses.

In a full-day session on "China's Future, And What It Means For Southeast Asia" speakers from China's most prestigious research institutes, investment advisory firms and banks will speak about the challenges now facing China's economy, the prospects for a slowdown in growth and how this could affect other economies in the region.

Participants will also have the opportunity to learn from leading experts about China’s foreign energy policies, Beijing's territorial claims in the South China Sea and how upcoming changes in the Chinese Communist Party leadership might cause critical policy shifts in the future. Speakers will also provide hands-on advice on how local companies can better position themselves in their trade with China and the competition from Chinese corporations as they continue to expand their trade and outward direct investment throughout Southeast Asia.

Sessions on regional and global topics will also be held, with seasoned economists and political analysts participating in large roundtable discussions about the outlook for the global economy in 2012, how the Euro zone crisis could affect Southeast Asia's economies, and a review of political developments in the region that could spell change in economic policies and the business climate.

Delegates will be treated to entertainment, Balinese leisure activities and fine dining that will provide networking opportunities with peers from Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.

Featured Speakers

• Gita Wirjawan – Chairman of Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM)
• Suryo Sulisto - Chairman, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (KADIN)
• Dane Chamorro - Director, Asia Pacific of Global Risk Analysis at Control Risks
• James Clad – National Defense University, Washington, D.C.
• Daojiong Zha - Professor of International Political Economy in the School of International Studies, Peking University
• Victor Gao - Director of the China National Association of International Studies
• Arthur Kroeber – Director, Dragonomics, Beijing
• Michael Kurtz - Head of Regional Strategy, Macquarie Securities (Australia) Ltd., Shanghai Rep Office
• Willy Lam – Adjunct Professor at Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Shaun Rein – Managing Director, Chinese Market Research Group, Shanghai
• John Lee Anderson – Foreign Correspondent, The New Yorker
• Glen Robinson – Founding Director, AFG Venture Group, Australia
• Richard Barichello - Professor, Food and Resource Economics Group at the University of British Columbia
• Raoul Oberman - Director, McKinsey & Company, Jakarta
• Steven Gan -Co-founder, Malaysiakini
• Dennis Heffernan - Partner, Van Zorge Heffernan & Associates
• Bertil Lintner - Correspondent, Svenska Dagbladet
• Lin Neumann - Chief Editorial Adviser, Jakarta Globe Media, Indonesia
• Maria Ressa - International Center for Political Violence and Terrorism Research
• Manu Bhaskaran - Centennial Group and the National University of Singapore
• Razeen Sally - Director of the European Centre for International Political Economy, Brussels
• Stephen Schwartz - Economist, Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA), Hongkong
• Milan Zavadjil - Senior Resident Representative, IMF, Jakarta

Participation Cost:

There is an early-bird special US$2,500 for corporations and a non-corporate rate of US$1,2500.  This fee includes: conference Pproceedings, food and beverages, and entertainment.

Not included are accommodation and transportation outside Bali.

For more information [www.asean-dialogues.com] 

The World Travel Awards (WTA) were presented on Wednesday, September 28, 2011, in Bangkok, Thailand to members of the world’s travel and tourism industry deemed to be the highest achievers via 183,000 votes cast by travel colleagues drawn for 160 countries.

The 18th year of the awards - VIPs, senior tourism leaders, captains of industry and international media travelled from over 30 nations across Asia and Australasia attended the WTA Asia & Australasia Ceremony 2011 held at the Dusit Thani Bangkok.

The Bali-based products winning honors in Bangkok were:

• [St. Regis Bali Resort]  – named Asia’s Leading Luxury Resort

• Banyan Tree named Asia’s Leading Resort Brand. [Banyan Tree Ungasan]  

• [Pan Pacific Nirwana Bali]  – named Indonesia’s Leading Golf Resort

• [St. Regis Bali Resort]  – named Indonesia’s Leading Hotel.

• [AYANA Resort and Spa Bali]  – named Indonesia’s Leading Resort

• [AYANA Resort and Spa Bali]  – named Indonesia’s Leading Spa Resort

World Travel Awards [2011 Asia winners] 

Shown on Balidiscovery.com is  Geetha Warrier, Director of Marketing Communications, St. Regis Bali Resort (center) receiving the top honor awarded to an Indonesian hotel operator.

Inmates at Bali’s notorious Kerobokan Prison are now able to takes course in business or philosophy during their period of incarceration.

The courses in business and philosophy formally commenced on Wednesday, September 28, 2011. A Norwegian professor, Ivar Schou, is teaching the initial intake of 20 philosophy students.

Among Professor Shou’s students are three members of the “Bali Nine” – Myuran Sukumaran, Scott Rush and Martin Stephen. Sukamaran is housed on death row under sentence of death, while Rush and Stephen are serving life terms.

According to Beritabali.com, the course in philosophic studies will last for one year with classes meeting every week for three hours.

Siswanto, the chief warden at the prison, said: “By following this program, it is hoped that the inmates will acquire skills that can be used when they leave prison. This philosophy course is also intended to build character among the inmates, making them better people in the future.”

The warden gave credit for initiating the philosophy and business courses to the Australian parents of Scott Rush. “The parents of the convict Rush know the philosophy professor from Norway and a business teacher Joe Nowak. They then suggested that their Son and other inmates at the Denpasar prison should receive schooling in philosophy and business,” explained Siswanto.

The prison already offers course in a number of other areas to its inmates - including lessons in painting, English and sewing.

The chief of the Bali Animal Husbandry Department (Dinas Perternakan Bali), Putu Sumantra, told the press on International Rabies Eradication Day,  Wednesday, September 29, 2011, that plans are underway to begin sterilizing street dogs in Bali in order to help reduce the canine population on the island.

As reported by Beritabali.com, through the sterilization of the street dog population officials hope to keep the dog population from expanding beyond control. Sterilization will be achieved through the spaying of bitches. “Increases in street dog populations is linked to female dogs, with many Balinese abandoning female dogs on the streets. We will sterilize these dogs through operative procedures or the administration of hormones,” explained Sumantra.

He went on to explain that by keeping street dog population under control officials will find it easier to vaccinate Bali’s dog population against rabies.

Authorities estimate that 70% of Bali’s total canine population of 230,000 has now been vaccinated against rabies.

Related Articles

[South Bali Rabies-Free by December 2011]
 
[Dogged Determination to End Rabies] 
 
[U.S. Government Joins Bali’s War on Rabies]

Bali’s water supply is increasingly under pressure as tourist numbers rise and the construction of new hotels and villas continue unabated. This is happening against the backdrop of sverely limited sources of fresh water.

As reported by Beritabali.com, the Center for the Study of Sustainable Development at Bali’s Udayana University is predicting Bali will experience an acute fresh water crisis by 2015.The chairman of the Center, Dr. Dharma Putra, is predicting that based on current population projections, by 2015 Bali will have a water deficit amounting to 1,500 liters per second.

“The indicators are the increasing rate of population settlement, the ongoing development of hotel rooms, and the carrying capacity of Bali’s South in terms of supplies of fresh water – these can all be calculated,” explained the Udayana professor.

In Dharma Putra’s view, one of the main causes of the fresh water crisis in Bali is the island’s failure to optimize the use of fresh water sources - primarily from  waters discharged each day into the sea from the Unda, Telaga Waja and other waterways.

“Just look…beginning from the Telaga Waja, Unda, Petanu, Oos, Ayung and even the Penet river ways – all are discharging freshwater (into the sea). Thus far we have only utilized the Tukad Badung with an estuary damn that is sufficient to supply Nusa Dua with 900 liters per second. However, due to a lack of new infrastructure we are only producing 300 liters per second,” explained Dharma Putra.

Dharma Putra is recommending to the government of Bali that they urgently create the infrastructure to utilize the river water being discharged directly into the ocean. Current limitations by the State Water Board (PDAM) in the supply of fresh water have compelled hotels to sink wells to meet their water requirements.

Said Dharma Putra: “Because the hotels are not able to secure good service from PDAM, they have to find alternate water supplies by sinking water wells. This method has obstacles as the quality of ground water is declining due to the intrusion of salt water into the water table. Moreover, the hotels prefer not to use ground water due to the high costs. Just imagine the rapid corrosion of pipes (due to salt water), heavy maintenance and the very high taxes charged by the government for exploitation of ground water.”

He hopes the government will soon create the infrastructure that will bring water from Bali’s rivers to South Bali. He estimates that 1,800 liters per second of fresh water is lost via the Tukad Unda and another 300 liters per second from the Tukad Penet. This is happening when he estimates that there are tens thousand of new homes on Bukut Jimbaran in South Bali without any access to fresh water.

“If I am not wrong, there are ten thousand new houses owned by the public that cannot be served by PDAM, who are compelled to use expensive and difficult-to-obtain well water or purchase their water supply from water trucks filled from PDAM sources. There are also efforts underway to capture rainwater,” Dharma Putra explained.

This same shortage is affecting not only private homes but also the island’s hotel industry. He estimates that every hotel room in Bali needs 1,500 liters of water each day. Meanwhile, data from the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) estimates there are 65,000 hotel rooms in Bali.

Another source, the Bali Hotels Association (BHA), estimates 10,000 new hotel rooms will come on line in 2011. The Executive Director of the BHA, Djinaldi Gosana, has warned that Bali’s water crisis threatens Bali image as a world tourism destination.

“We in the hotel industry are recycling water. Water from swimming pools is used for watering the lawns. That’s how it is, and we support every effort that the government undertakes (for water supply). Don’t let the tourists come and encounter problems in obtaining water; that would not be good,” said Djinaldi.

BHA is also exploring the viability of desalinating seawater for use by Bali’s hotels.

Related Articles

[Quenching an Island’s Thirst]   

[Is Your Hotel Sinking?]

[A River Runs Through It]
 
[Waste Not, Want Not]
 
[Water, Water Everywhere]

According to Beritabali.com, the underpass at the Dewa Ruci monument in Kuta, Bali, will commence construction in November 2011. The project team is currently finalizing the acquisition of land from private hands that will allow the construction to begin.

“The vice-regent of Badung, I Ketut Sudikerta, said on Thursday, September 29, 2011: “Physically, the construction can begin in November. During October we will finish the acquisition of the land and pay compensation (to the owners).”

According to Sudikerta, most of the landowners have already received compensation payments for their land.

Speaking on Thursday, Sudikerta explained: “The remaining two land owners have yet to be paid. Today payment will take place. Hopefully tomorrow (Friday) the payment will be finalized. The development of the underpass represents an urgent need that must be realized. We hope that this can be quickly realized.”

Sudikerta told the press there are no remaining obstacles concerning the land needed for the underpass project.

The underpass at the Dewa Ruci monument in Kuta is targeted for completion before the APEC Summit to be held in Bali in 2013. With an estimated cost of Rp. 300 billion (US$33 million), developers have said the project will be handed over in November 2013.

The length of the underpass will be 450 meters with a width of 18 meters and a height of 5.2 meters.

Related Article

[Highway Robbery?]
 
[The Property Underground]
 
[A Basis to Move Ahead]
 
[De-congestion Relief Guaranteed]

In efforts to recommence shceduled operations, Mandala Airlines is set to take delivery of an Airbus A320 in November, the first in a series of airplanes that will eventually bring the airline up to the minimum fleet size of 10 aircraft required for by the Ministry of Transportation to operate as a schedule airline in Indonesia.

Indonesian transportation law requires scheduled air carriers to have a minimum fleet of ten aircraft, five of which must be wholly owned.

Bisnis.com quotes Devis Wirawan, the investment manager of Saratoga Capital, who are taking the lead in efforts  to recapitalize the airline for a comeback, as saying they have applied to the government for an exemption for the “10 aircraft rule” which they claim cannot possibly be fulfilled before the end of 2011.

Devin, representing Saratoga as the majority shareholder in Mandala Airlines, told the press that they are still creating a business plan for the airline for the coming three years, although no decision has been made on the specific market and routes that will be used by the revitalized airline when it commences operations.

In late September Mandala Airlines, the Saratoga Group and Tiger Airways have signed an agreement on shareholdings. Saratoga own 51% of Mandala Airlines. Tiger Airways 33% and the remaining shares of the company held by former shareholders and creditors.

Related Articles

[Mandala: Poised for Flight?] 
 
[Requesting Take-Off Clearance]

[Saved from Extinction by a Tiger]
 
[Mandala: Seeking to Soar Again]
 
[Mandala Airlines: Cleared for Take Off?]
 

Shortly after midnight on the morning of Friday, September 30, 2011, an earthquake measuring 5.0 on the Richter scale shook the southernmost tip of Bali at Nusa Dua.

The earthquake’s epicenter was located 242 kilometers southwest of Bali at a depth of 10 kilometers.

While felt by some tourists and residents in the Nusa Dua area, there are no reports of damage or injury linked to the seismic event.

No tsunami threat was issued by the Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysical Agency (BMKG) in connection with the earthquake.

While the earthquake was registered and reported by the Indonesian monitoring authority (BMKG), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on-line monitoring system showed no record of the geophysical event.

Jakarta Globe quotes the head of the legal team for Bali governor Made Mangku Pastika as complaining that a subpoena delivered to the Bali Post for publishing unprofessional and deliberately misleading news reports has been ignored.

The original documents sent to the Bali Post demanded formal retractions be published by the newspaper and other Bali papers for seven consecutive days. The suit also demanded on behalf of Pastika damages amounting to US$11.1 million for incorrectly reporting that the governor had called for the dismantling of tradition villages (desa prakaman) units in Bali following a clash between two villages in the Klunkung regency that resulted in one death and numerous injuries.

The Bali Post website has embedded a film clip of the Governor clarifying his remaks on the dismantling of traditional villages, underlining that he was only suggesting the two villages involved in the violent outbreak might be disbanded if they failed to peacefully resolve their difference.

The governor’s lead lawyer in the case, Nyoman Sumantha, has also filed a complaint with the National Press Council headed by former Supreme Court justice Bagir Manan. Bagir and members of the Press Council team were scheduled to visit Bali in the last week of September to review the facts of the case between the governor and the Bali Post.

The complaint against the Bali Post alleges that news on the governor’s public statements were “a lie and not professional prepared” and were tendentious in nature, seeking to create conflict between the governor and the public.

The governor said any financial settlement in the case would be donated to traditional villages across Bali.

Related Article

[Bali Governor Sues Bali Post for US$11.1 million]
 
[Villagers Clash in Klunkung]

Jakarta Globe reports a substantial drop in the number of human fatalities in Bali linked to rabies, down 68% year to date in 2011 as compared to the same period last year.

Quoting the Australian Consul General in Bali, Brett Farmer: 

“Human deaths from rabies have now dropped by 68 per cent compared to the same period last year, but we want to see this figure fall to zero.”

Farmer’s comments were made at a World Rabies Day Event held in Bali on Wednesday, September 28, 2011.

Thus far in 2011 there have been 19 deaths linked to rabies in Bali as compared to 60 deaths for the same period in 2010.

Australia has donated $1.1 million to Bali’s fight against rabies with the funds being used for vaccination programs, public education and animal surveillance systems.

Said Farmer: 

“These mass vaccinations programs are crucial in curtailing the further spread of rabies to humans, dogs and other animals. Without these mass vaccination programs, there’s a chance the epidemic would continue and be much more difficult to manage.”

Related Articles

[Wombs that Whelp No More]

[South Bali Rabies-Free by December 2011]

[Dogged Determination to End Rabies]
 
[U.S. Government Joins Bali’s War on Rabies] 

Alexander McCall Smith is one of the world’s most prolific and popular authors. For many years a professor of Medical Law, after the publication of his highly successful No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency series that has sold over twenty million copies and inspired a television mini-series, he has devoted his time to the writing of fiction and has seen his various series of books translated into over forty languages becoming bestsellers throughout world. He is also renowned as one of the great raconteurs of our time.

This year’s ANZ Ubud Writers & Readers Festival offers the chance to enjoy two literary evenings with Alexander McCall Smith.

A Cocktail Evening with Alexander McCall Smith

Alexander McCall Smith is appearing on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at the Amandari Resort in Ubud at a cocktail gathering moderated by stage and musical star Jennifer Bryne.

Amandari Resort

Saturday, 8 Oct 2011
6:00 p.m – 8:00 p.m.|

Price: RP 600.000 or US$66.00

An Evening with Alexander McCall Smith

The master storyteller returns two nights later promising to engage with the evening’s moderator - the urbane and witty Farquhar Stirling of Nielsen Ratings (Indonesia).

In addition to sparkling conversation, also on tap for the evening is a tempting array of contemporary cuisine served by the Intercontinental Bali Resort.

Intercontinental Resort Bali

Monday, October 10, 2011
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Price: RP750.000 or US$83

[Ubud Writers and Readers Festival Website] 
 

Gaya Art Space in Ubud, Bali presents a group exhibition through November 2, 2011 from the Fighting Cocks Group - “Celebrating the Body” in collaboration with “Beyond the Words” by Beatriz Mousinho.

Fighting Cock Group

Fighting Cocks Group Yogyakarta (Kelompok Jago Tarung) was established in June 2010 in Yogyakarta. Comprised of four artists – all alumni of the Indonesia Art Institute (ISI) Yogyakarta: Multazam 'Zam' Kamil, Moch Basori, Nurul 'Acil' Hayat and Priyaris Munandar.

Although recently formed, the members of Fighting Cocks Group have long been involved in the contemporary art scene. Multidisciplinary artists, each with their individual specialties but employing painting as their primary calling, they also create three-dimensional works using various media such as newsprint, wood, textiles, metal, glass, resin, stone, bone and brass.

“Celebrating the Body” uses the human body as the framework for the visual narration composed by the Fighting Cocks Group. The body, defined by philosopher Maurice Merleau-Ponty as être-au-monde, is the modality of all human beings in this universe, Important both biologically - because the body supports human life, and philosophically - as a medium with which to touch world and define oneself, our bodies express the very essence of what it is to be human.

Each of the four artists addresses the human body from a different perspective. Multazam ‘Zam’ Kamil interprets the body as the expressive medium of the human soul. He endows the human silhouette with dynamic and poetic movements. Nurul ‘Acil’ Hayat picks group of masculine bodies with expressionless faces, naked bodies and colorful baldheads. These men are continuously chasing, jumping, and selecting “something” to define human desire. Human forms presented in groups are also central to Priyaris Munandar, but rendered with a more meditative and monumental nuance. Finally, Moch Basori interprets the body in a more metaphysical sense. For Basori, the body in its basic essence may be present in any form.

In the midst of this multi-media project, Beatriz Mousinho - who participates as a part of Ubud Writers and Reader Festival - explores cultural and personal diversity. She uses poetry to go beyond formless emotion and render new shapes possessing enriched blended emotions. Based in Lisbon, Portugal, Beatriz has also explored other forms of expression via serious studies of fine art and contemporary jewelry.

                    Celebrating the Body – Beyond Their Words

Painting and Video Arts by the Fighting Cocks Group - Multazam Kamil, Nurul Hayat, Moch. Basori in Collaboration with Made Wiradana, Ida Bagus Purwa, and Beatriz Mousinho

                                   October 2 - November 2, 2011

                             Open Daily 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.

                                             Gaya Art Space
                                      Jalan Raya Sayan, Ubud
                                              Bali, Indonesia

                              Telephone: ++ 62 –(0)361-979252

                                   [Email for more information] 

Of the 5,000 people officially registered as “unemployed” in Bali’s capital city of Denpasar, 40% are college graduates.

Beritabali.com reports that unemployment rates in Bali main city fluctuate due to reasons of migration and urbanization.

The chief of Denpasar’s Manpower, Transmigration and Social Department, Erwin Suryadarma, says the government is working to reduce rates of unemployment by developing training courses and entrepreneurial training.

Said Suryadarma: “Later there will be training for the informal sectors, such as barbers, workshops and motorcycle washing to help meet the fluctuating nature of unemployment in Denpasar, which we calculate at 5,000.”

Erwin Suryadarma added that Denpasar as the capital city of Bali has its own special attraction for job seekers wanting a better life.

Like Indonesia’s favorite meal of Nasi Campur – the current exhibition of art at TAKSU @W Retreat & Spa Bali features a wide range of tastes and sensations represented in paintings, drawings, collages, photographs, and sculptures by local, regional and international artists.

Among the artists whose works will be on display at the Nasi Campur exhibition through December 31, 2011:

Bob Sick Yudhita - Born 1971 in Yogyakarta, Bob lives and works in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. He graduated from Indonesia’s Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta. Strongly influenced by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Bob’s paintings are spontaneous and filled with poetry and thoughts. Upon receiving the prestigious Affandi Award in 1994, Bob continued to explore pain and bliss, and true meaning of painting through his process of work and creation. From 1999 to date, Bob had participated in countless group exhibitions in various cities in Indonesia, Singapore, and Hong Kong. He had mounted 8 solo exhibitions in Yogyakarta, Jakarta, Semarang, and Hong Kong.

Dodit Artawan - Born in Batubulan, Bali in 1978, Dodit lives and works in Bali. Upon graduation with a Bachelor of Fine Arts at the Indonesian Art Institute (ISI) Denpasar Bali in 1997, Dodit Artawan started his practice as a founding member of TAXU Art Clinic - an artist collective that made quite an upheaval in Balinese art scene for breaking the established hegemony of dominant value in form of local identity by using traditional elements. By using images of insignificant objects found in popular culture and urban lifestyle, Dodit continues to show visual fixture, mixed sensitivity between seeing and touching, in relation with real and unreal, fact and illusion. From 1997 to date, Dodit had presented 3 solo exhibitions, and participated in numerous group exhibitions in various galleries and art spaces in Indonesia, Singapore, and Italy.

Christian Tamondong- Born in Philippines in 1976, Christian graduated from the Painting Faculty of Institute of Fine Arts and Design, Philippine Women's University. His works later evolved into whimsical, somewhat cartoonish, springing from his fascination with colors and shapes. They captured life’s truth and fancy – calm and chaos, love and hate, thus imparting fun and humor. In addition to participating in numerous group exhibitions, Christian Tamondong has mounted 8 solo exhibitions in Manila, Jakarta, and Singapore, He is also the recipient of several prestigious awards in the Philippines.

Fauzulyusri - Graduated from UiTM Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia in 1999, and has been exhibiting in Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Indonesia, Singapore, and UK. Fauzulyusri ‘s artworks are in the public collections of Balai Seni Lukis Negara (KL), Bank Negara Malaysia (KL), Kementrian Pembangunan Wanita dan Keluarga (KL), Maybank Finance Bhd (KL, Malaysia), and a number other institutions. He has held 7 solo exhibitions and countless group exhibitions. While it is easy to read Fauzuyusri's paintings as the games and dreams of a child, his geometric abstractions also have the urbanity of graffiti, of scuffed and scarred walls and that sense of decay of contemporary life.

Hanh - Born 1974 in Pontianak, he lives and works in Denpasar, Bali. Hanh (Handra Halim) graduated from Indonesia Institute of the Arts (ISI) Yogyakarta in 1998 with a BA (Hons) in Visual Art Communication. Hanh strives to create light-hearted works that prompt contemplation without being too heavy. Hanh had exhibited in several venues in Indonesia, including the Yogyakarta Art Biennale in 2007 and 2009, and Katalis Art Forum in 2009.

Jan Wisse – A Dutch artist who lives and works in Amsterdam. Wisse’s paintings are three-dimensional matters, free to handle, free to give it any shape

Jumaadi - Over the past decade, Jumaadi has traveled through the landscapes of Indonesia and Australia. His journey have taken him from tropical forest to sandy desert, allowing him to gaze on social landscapes as he digests and documents his travels and memories in short poems and visual diaries. To date, Jumaadi has mounted 18 solo exhibitions and numerous group exhibitions in various cities in Indonesia, Australia, and Malaysia.

Khairul Azmir Shoib - Better known as Meme, this artists was born in 1975 in Taiping, Perak, Malaysia. As a "writer of pictures", Meme constantly strives to create series of visual poetry that record silent conversations between the self and the others. His oeuvre - threading along with the macabre - often deny or betray categorization. Apart from lecturing in universities in Malaysia, Meme had participated in group exhibitions in Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia. Meme received his BA of Fine Arts from UiTM, Shah Alam, Malaysia in 2000, and MA (Fine Art and Technology) in 2004. He is the recipient of Juror’s Award from Young Contemporary, National Art Gallery KL in 2000; and won1st Prize in Life Drawing Competition from National Art Gallery KL in 2005. Meme currently lives and works in Kuala Lumpur.

Norberto Roldan - Born 1953, Roldan studied fine arts and visual communications at the University of Santo Tomas, Manila. He took a Masters Degree in Art Studies at the University of the Philippines-Diliman. He is a co-founder and artistic director of Green Papaya Art Projects, one of the last remaining alternative art spaces in the Philippines. Roldan has participated in solo exhibitions in Malaysia, Singapore, Manila and Australia. He has also participated in group shows in Manila, San Francisco, Berkley, New York, Hong Kong, Hanoi, Japan, London, and Singapore. Roldan lives and works in Manila.

Rochelle Haley – Born in Australia, Rochelle Haley graduated from the University of NSW College of Fine Arts, Sydney with a PhD of Fine Art. She explores the symbolism of materials by manipulating them in highly disciplined ways. In so doing, she brings fresh attention to her materials and extends their capacity to generate meaning. Paper, a very traditional artist's medium, and mirrors, a less traditional material, are the raw ingredients of her artworks.

                                          Nasi Campur

             A Group Exhibition @Taksu W Retreat & Spa Bali

                            October 8 – December 31, 2011
                  Open Daily from 9:00 a.m until 9:00 p.m. 
                             Except Monday and Thursdays

                         Open from 11:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.

                                  W Retreat & Spa Bali
                            Jalan Petitenget, Seminyak
                                        Bali, Indonesia

                        Telephone +62-(0)361-4738106

                                      [www.taksu.com] 

The chef-owner of Mozaic Restaurant Gastronomique in Bali, Chris Salans has launched his first book - Mozaic: French Cuisine, Balinese Flavours.

The 144-page work combines the story of Chef Salans’ Indonesian sojourn, his love affair with the island’s ingredients and the birth of his world-renowned Mozaic Restaurant in Ubud, Central Bali.

plete with Mozaic-style recipes, the book introduces Balinese ingredients, and explores their use in a myriad of signature recipes.

Driven by a combination of Chef Salans’ love of traditional Balinese ingredients, an innovative menu that marries French fare with Balinese flavors and the support of his loyal team at the restaurant, Mozaic Restaurant has become a culinary icon in Bali. The book shares Salans’ passion for the Balinese culture through the exploration of traditional Balinese ingredients as well as the recipes for his popular culinary masterpieces.

Chef Salans’ participation at world culinary events and his collaboration with the world’s top chefs have allowed him to introduce Bali’s ingredients and tastes to the world. His book is an extension of Chef Salans’ culinary ambassadorship. “The incredible ingredients we find in Bali have been my main source of inspiration to develop the cuisine of Mozaic and for that, I have presented them as the stars of Mozaic. With this book, I am giving myself a tool to be even better at representing Bali and its ingredients to chefs and colleagues when I travel," explained Salan.

Mozaic: French Cuisine, Balinese Flavours is published and distributed by Editions Didier Millet (EDM), a Singapore-based publisher known for its sophisticated approach to Asian history, culture and people.

The book presents a foreword by famed French Michelin Chef Emile Jung, and Australian chef Shannon Bennet. It also features contributions from writer Diana Darling and photographer, Philippe Heurtault - both Bali residents who share Chef Salans’ love for the island.

[Order On-Line: Mozaic: French Cuisine, Balinese Flavours]  

InterContinental Bali Resort has appointed Tom Meyer General Manager and Area General Manager International Hotel Group (IHG) Bali.

Australian born, Meyer has almost 30 years industry experience in the hospitality industry. Tom’s very first job during his gap year was with InterContinental Hamburg leading to a hotel training program in which he gained practical experience across a number of key departments.

Over the intervening 3 decades Tom has works in Antigua and his hometown of Sydney as a director of food and beverage. Rejoining IHG in 1993, Tom has held a series of senior roles that have taken him from Sydney to Singapore, Manila, and Hong Kong. Most recently he was in Dubai where he spent several years as director of operations and area general manager of Dubai Festival City (DFC) with responsibilities that involved opening and overseeing InterContinental DFC and the Crowne Plaza DFC as well as a complex of InterContinental branded residential suites. In addition, he was instrumental in orchestrating the take-over and rebranding of an18-hole championship golf course.

Tom brings to Bali a meticulous understanding of luxury hotel operations and the IHG brand.

Tom Meyer replaces Phil Riley who has moved to his new assignment as general manager of InterContinental Kuala Lumpur.

[InterContinental Bali Resort]

Rotary Club Bali Seminyak is holding a “Think Pink” luncheon and fashion show at Métis Restaurant on Jalan Petitenget in Seminyak on Friday, October 28, 2011.

Featuring fashion designs by Barbara Tollitt – The Inti Collection of Bali will be presented between 12:00 noon and 3:00 p.m. with funds raised from the event to help fund a free mammogram program for underprivileged woman in Bali.

Part of a larger Breast Cancer Awareness Program – “Think Pink” seeks to increase the very low levels of early detection of breast cancer among Indonesian women in order that life-saving treatment can be given. Fear of surgery, chemotherapy and radiation treatment sees many women in Indonesia reliant on traditional medicines and incorrectly accepting a breast cancer diagnosis as a death sentence.

By providing free mammograms to women in Bali the door will also be opened to educate women on self-examination, be aware of the symptoms of the disease and seek help in a timely manner.

Through fund raising efforts such as these the aim is for underprivileged woman to be able to obtain mammograms without cost and, when necessary remedial treatment,

The cost of a mammogram examination is Rp. 200,000 (US$22).

The cost of chemotherapy treatment is Rp. 1 million (US$111) per session.

Join the fight against cancer by attending the “Think Pink” Luncheon and Fashion Show at Métis Restaurant on Friday, October 28, 2011, 12:00 noon until 3:00 p.m..

Cost of Tickets: Rp. 300,000 (US$33)

Contact: Inti Collection at Jalan Raya Seminyak No. 1, Basangkasa, Seminyak Telephone ++62-(0)361733664 or Jalan Danau Tamblingan No. 69, Sanur. Telephone ++62-(0)0361-286945

Telephone Rotary Club Bali Seminyak at ++62-(0)82147842567 or [email] 
 

NusaBali reports that the Special Committee for the Refinement of the Provincial Zoning Law (Pansus Penyempurnaan Perda RTRW) and Commission I of the Bali House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali) have uncovered a major case of alleged misuse of power by Badung regency officials.

According to press reports, provincial legislators investigating environmental damage reports at the Hotel Mulia 26-hectare construction site in Sawangan, South Kuta have uncovered the involvement of Joko Soegiarto Tjandra, a wanted fugitive in the Bank Bali Liquidity Scandal.

Legislators and Special Committee members have reportedly received information indicating Tjandra’s financial backing in the hotel project, Tjandra, who is reportedly living in Singapore, is listed on the Indonesian Police and Interpol “wanted” list.

When a group of legislators visiting the massive site being prepared for 1,000 hotel rooms and 160 villas by PT Mulia Graha Tatalestari, they grilled the project manager, Kardani, asking if the fugitive businessman Tjandra owned the hotel project. Kardani, although initially denying Tjandra’s affiliation with the project, finally admitted Joko Tjandra’s ownership, but denying any knowledge of the man’s whereabouts.

Quoted in NusaBali, Kardani said: “This project is owned by the Tjandra family, but the current whereabouts of Joko Tjandra I don’t know. In the past, Tjandra was invited to invest here during the era of Governor Oka.”

Ida Bagus Oka, now deceased, was the governor of Bali from 1988-1998.

Of concern to legislators visiting the site is a building permit issued for the project issued in 2011 signed by the regent of Badung, Anak Agung Gede Agung,

NusaBali says reports that the authorization contained in building permit (IMB) issued in 2011 was transferred from Joko Tjandra to Viady Sutojo. Also of concern to investigators, is the project’s 2 kilometer proximity to Pura Geger, a violation of the 2009 RTRW that stipulates a minimum distance of 3 kilometers from that sacred site for any commercial development. Making matters worse, are indications that environmental rules and regulations have been ignored in the project’s construction.

The chairman of the Special Zoning Commission, legislator Wayan Disel Astawa, told the press: “If we measure the radius from the sacred temple, that is already a fatal violation. Apparently, this (project) passed the Badung regency with many violations. But, these violations were not acted upon, but instead obtained complete permission. There is no justice and there appears to be the be selective enforcement of the law for investors.”

Meanwhile, the chairman of Commission I of the DPRD-Bali, Made Arjaya, promised that the Mulia project case would be investigated thoroughly to determine how a wanted fugitive in a major case of bank fraud could be allowed to build a hotel in Bali. “How can he (Joko Tjandra) process (permits) while he is a fugitive? This is strange. This has to be investigated. There has to be an official involved who helped a wanted fugitive build a hotel. This is already leaning towards criminality,” accused Arjaya.

Cokorda Gede Budi Suryawan, another member of Commission I of the DPRD-Bali and a member of the Puri Agung Ubud royal household, the case suggest the operation of a “mafia” in how permits are issued in Badung regency. Suryawan commented: “A fugitive of the law can build a hotel in Bali? How did he process the permits? If there wasn’t an official involved, it would be impossible for the permits to be issued.” Suryawan also asked if Tjandra had managed to visit Bali, despite being a wanted fugitive by the Indonesian police.

When the chief of the Zoning Office for Badung (Dinas Cipta Karya Badung), Putu Desy Dharmayanty, was contacted by NusaBali to clarify how the building permit managed to change hands from Joko Tjandra to Viady Sutojo, a SMS reply from the official said: “Sorry. Please come to my office, I have forgotten. It was signed on the name of Viady Sutojo.”

Related Article

[The Mulia Comes to Bali]

 
 

Jakarta Globe reports that the beleaguered Lombok International Airport began operations at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, September 30, 2011.

Long delayed for a variety of reasons ranging from funding, lack of supporting infrastructure, theft of building materials, environmental disputes and construction delays - the original opening date of March 2010 was pushed back by 1.5 years.

Covering an area of 585 hectares, the airport cost more than US$91 million to complete, substantially more than the original budget estimate of US$75 million.

A Garuda flight from Jakarta was scheduled to be the first landing of a scheduled flight at the new facility.

Continuing to amaze the public with displays of poor management, the transition from the old Selaparang Airport to the new airfield was not without incident. Apparently, airlines flying to the old airport on its last day of operation were not informed that the airport would cease operations at 6:00 p.m.on Thursday, causing last minute cancellation of flights operated by Lion Air and Wings Air stranding passengers holding bookings overnight on the island.

Angry passengers were demanding compensation for missed international connections and a range of other inconveniences.

The new airport is 40 kilometers southeast of Mataram, the capital city of Mataram. With a runway length of 2,750 meters that mirrors the length of nearby Ngurah Rai Airport in Bali, the airport will be able to accommodate large jets but, like Bali, is too short to allow fully-fueled, fully-loaded wide-bodied jets to undertake long-distance intercontinental flights.

Tourism officials are targeting 1 million visitors in 2012 at the airport built to handle 3 million visitors each year.

Related Articles

[Holding the Apron Strings in Lombok]
 
[Lombok Airport to Open One Year Behind Schedule]
 

Space is still available for a one-of-a-kind cruise to East Bali with Bali Hai Cruises departing on Wednesday, October 12th.

This one-day cruise departs at 8:30 a.m. from Benoa harbor, sailing up the east cost of Bali under the majestic shadow or Sacred Mt. Agung while morning team and snacks are served. The ship returns to Benoa at approximately 5:00 p.m..



The luxurious air-conditioned Bali Hai II lands its passengers in Karangasem for visits to Subak Guliang in east Bali and a chance to explore life in a traditional Balinese village. Guests will learn how Balinese villages are geographically organized, view daily farming activities, learn how rice is processed from the field to the dinner table, watch wood and silver craftsmen create their wares, and see demonstrations of how the uniquely beautiful Balinese religious offerings are fashioned

The trip includes:
• Round-trip transfers between hotels in Bali and the Port of Benoa.
• Cruise program on Bali Hai II along Bali’s eastern coast.
• Morning and afternoon tea and snack on board Bali Hai II.
• Shore program in East Bali
• BBQ lunch

The price for the special event cruise is US$115 for adults and US$57.40 for children aged 4 to 14 years. Family packages available on request.

To book contact Bali Discovery Tours at ++62-(0)361-286283 or [email]  
 

Tickets are going fast for the one-night-only appearance of Jason Mraz in Bali on Wednesday, November 9, 2011.

On an Asian Tour, Mraz will perform in Manila (30 October) before visiting Taiwan and Thailand on his way to a Bali engagement.



The 34-year-old singer-songwriter will perform at Taman Bhagawan at Tanjung Benoa with ticket sales for the Bali performance scheduled to commence September 19, 2011.

The theme of the Asian tour is Jason Mraz: A Special Acoustic Evening With Toca Rivera. Rivera is a longtime friend and renowned percussionist who has played a key-performing role in the artist's successful album releases and public performances to date.

Mraz’s last performance in Indonesia was in March 2009 when he received rave reviews for appearances at “Java Jazz 2009.” 



Mraz’s last album We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things debuted at number three on the Billboard 200 and received strong sales internationally, including Indonesia. That album also containa his hit single I’m Yours.

Ticket Prices for Jason Mraz Performance in Bali November 9, 2011

VIP Festival Rp. 860,000 (US$$95)
Premium Festival Rp. 680,000 (US$75)

Regular Festival Rp. 390,000 (US$43)




[Email for tickets] 

The days may be numbered for the dokars or horse drawn carriages that ply the streets of Kuta in Bali.

Members of the Denpasar Dokar Association are find that the chronic traffic congestion along Kuta’s busy beachfront and competition from taxis are making the horse-drawn transport a less-than-preferred mode of public transport by Bali visitors.

NusaBali quotes a dokar driver, Mak Din (27), saying: “it’s as though dokars are less preferred by visitors, especially in Kuta’s current situation of traffic becoming more and more congested.”

The estimated 42 dokars who work in Kuta are also finding the competition for customers extremely intense.

Equally intense is the competition for parking spaces along main roads from at which the horses can rest while waiting for passengers. “We are often compelled to keep driving our dokars just looking for a place to park,” complained Mak Din.

As a result, dokar drivers are having run-ins with the police and local authorities when they park in areas officially off-limit for parking.

Drivers have asked local authorities to consider the future of dokar operations in Kuta and create special traffic bays for their horse and carriages.

Meanwhile, the dwindling popularity of the dokar as a means of transportation is reflected in the comments of a domestic tourist, Rindy (22), who says he enjoys using this means of transportation, but that traffic congestions an high temperatures are dissuading him from climbing aboard a dokar. Explaining, “it’s better if I just walk; I'll get to my destination quicker.”

The tourism service of the Badung regency of Bali is targeting 3 million tourist visits to tourist objects in South Bali in 2012.

This target is more than a 10% increase over the estimated 2.7 foreign million tourists projected to visit Bali in 2011.

“We are optimistic that the currently conducive condition of tourism will allow us to achieve 2.7 million foreign tourists this year. When we look at the latest data, foreign tourists who have visited Bali so far this year have exceeded two million people,” explained the head of tourism for Badung, Cok Raka Darmawan to the Bali Post on Tuesday, September 29, 2011.

Darmawan said that various efforts are underway to achieve current arrival targets. Promotions are being carried out both in Indonesia and abroad. The Badung regency also continues to support various festivals to encourage increased visitor totals to Bali.

“If we look the various festivals, such as the Legian Beach Festival (LBF), Kuta Karnival and Nusa Dua Fiesta – all are being conducted by the public and members of the tourism industry. We fully support such events,” said Darmawan speaking on behalf of the Badung Tourism Office.

Saying he hoped the festivals held in Bali this year will demonstrate improvement, bringing more tourists to the island.

A Warning

Meanwhile, a tourism observer, Dr. I Nyoman Madiun, is calling on the government to pay more attention to quality over quantity in promoting tourism in order not to damage Bali’s reputation. He said that while the number of tourists visiting Bali continues to grow, the revenues obtained from individual visitors and length of stay are still much less than in neighboring destinations. Madiun also sees “low quality” visitors to Bali as an environmental threat, breeding a lessened respect for nature and sustainable tourism.

Said Madiun, “the government must focus on quality tourists with high spending and longer lengths of stay, because this type of visitor tend to have a higher concern for preserving the natural environment.”

A simple yet moving ceremony of remembrance was held at the Australian Consulate in Bali on Saturday, October 1, 2011, marking the events of October 1, 2005, when two terrorist bombings in Jimbaran and Kuta killed more than 20 people.

Among those who died were 15 Indonesians, 4 Australians, one Japanese in addition to the 3 Indonesians who suicided when they detonated bombs at a beachside restaurant in Jimbaran and a restaurant at the Kuta Town Square. Nearly 130 people suffered injuries in the blasts.

The ceremony on the 6th anniversary of Bali Bombing II was conducted in a special permanent memorial garden erected within the premises of the Australian Consulate in Denpasar, Bali. Representatives of Australia, Britain, Japan and Indonesia participated in the recitation of prayers, the presentation of floral wreaths and the singing of the national anthems of Australia and Indonesia.

Quoted by the National News Agency Antara, Karen Collins, Australian Consul in Bali said: “to remember those who had died, their survivors, friends and relatives, we observe the sixth anniversary of the bombing of Oct. 1, 2005,”

The Seventh Annual Yak Awards 2011 were held on Friday, September 30, 2011 at the Tugu Hotel, Canggu.

Over five hundred of invitees and ticket holders were on hand – many dressing in “Nouveau Trad Glam” while enjoying bountiful drinks and food supplied by 14 chefs from leading island hotels and eateries.

Musical entertainment for the evening convened the traditional with the contemporary with performances by “Sonic Soul,” classic Balinese offerings by Mekar Buana Conservatory, contemporary dance from Nyoman Sura, Jegog Siwentra Suarmantra, vocal performances by Yasmin Suteja and Yuki, and a range of top local DJ talent.

Selected via on-line voting, these are the winners of the 2011 Yak Awards:

• Best Newcomer: Potato Head Beach Club Bali
• Best Retail Space: Deus Ex Machina, Canggu
• Best Chef: James Ephram at Mozaic, Ubud
• Best Sunset Venue: Rock Bar at AYANA Resort and Spa
• Best Restaurant: Sardine, Petitenget
• Best Wine List: SIP!!
• Best DJ: Eric Entrena
• YAK Woman of the Year: Emily Bayliss, Potato Head Beach Club
• YAK Man of the Year: Dustin Humphrey, Deus ex Machina
• Best Community Service: Christina Iskandar, YPAC Handicapped Children
• Best Bar: Word of Mouth, Jalan Kunti
• Best Villa: The Edge, Uluwatu
• Best Spa: Karma Spa
• Best Fashion Label: BIASA
• Best Jewelry: Luke Stockley from Jemme
• Best Resort: Alila Uluwatu
• Best Ad Campaign: Biasa
• Best Event: ‘Empire of the Sun” at Potato Head
• Outstanding Achievement: Janice Girardi, BAWA Foundation for fight against rabies.

Photos shown on balidiscovery.com from the Yaka Awards 2011 courtesy of Yaeko Masuda, Fiorenzo Nisi and Josh Howard.