A 17-year-old Japanese youth has heard Bali prosecutors ask for one year’s imprisonment after being caught in possession of 2.61 grams of marijuana on August 8, 2012.

Yoshioka Ryusei heard the public prosecutor, Wayan Widana, ask for the year’s sentence in a closed courtroom on Monday, October 8, 2012.

According to detik.com, the prosecutor is seeking the sentence, less time served, for the Japanese teenagers violation of the 2009 anti-narcotics law.

Prosecutors say they are seeking a sentence less than the maximum allowed under the law due to the boy’s age, polite demeanor and promises not to repeat his crime in the future.

The lawyer for the youth, Ahmad Hadiana, objects to the call for a one year sentence pointing out that prosecutors have chosen to ignore recommendations from the prison board (Bapas) that the defendant be returned to his parents for counseling and guidance.

Ryusei was apprehended while standing in front of a gas station on Jalan Teuku Umar in downtown Denpasar on August 8, 2012 when police found a small bag of marijuana seeds and leaves in the boy’s pocket.

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[Academic Detachment]

[Graduation Delayed]
 

Since 1985, Rotary International has been engage in a worldwide effort to eradicate polio. Due in large part to the dedicated efforts of Rotarians to deliver police vaccinations to even the most remote villages across Indonesian and around the world, a disease that once killed and maimed children in great numbers is now an increasingly rare illness.

Working together with The World Health Organization, Rotarians are working to track down the last vestiges of the disease in countries such as Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Joining this commendable community-based effort, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation donated US$365 million to Rotary International in recognition of the efficacy of their efforts to make polio a disease of the past.

As the results of a program commenced in concert with Rotary in1985, polio has been eradicated in Indonesia. According to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, no new cases of polio have been recorded in Indonesia since 2007.

Because of this, the District Governor of Rotary District 340 that encompasses Indonesia, Panudiana Kuhn, told Bali Post that on October 28, 2012, Indonesia will be granted a “polio free” certification by an international review board during a visit to Bali.

Because of Rotary’s success in combating polio, Rotary Indonesia is now turning its attention to other social and humanitarian projects. Rotarians across Indonesia are active in post-tsunami reconstruction efforts in Aceh, clean air supplies, cataract operations, cleft palate operations, combating thalasemia and HIV/AIDS treatment.

Among the more well known projects sponsored by Rotary in Bali are the modern Blood Bank in operation at Bali’s Sanglah Hospital and a clean water project in Karangasem, East Bali. “We also distribute free eye glasses, provide cataract operations, provide libraries to schools and mobile clinics for the treatment of the island’s women,” explained Kuhn.

Worldwide, Rotary has more than 3,400 clubs and 1.2 million members spread across 534 districts.

Illegal travel agencies, illegal guides and illegal accommodation providers are depicted as a natural outcome of the increasingly competitive environment within Bali’s tourism industry.

The chairman of the Bali branch of the Indonesian Association of Travel Agencies (ASITA), Al Purwa, warned on Monday, October 8, 2012 that in order for Bali to develop into a quality tourism destination it must prioritize the legitimization of companies working in the tourism sector.

As reported by Bisnis Bali, Purwa said that legal travel agencies in Bali are required to hold a valid operating license and utilize licensed tour guides. If travel agencies fail to use licensed travel agents, ASITA will summon its members and demand that only licensed guides be used in carrying for visitors.

If a travel agent in Bali is found not to have a valid operating license, it is difficult to make these businesses accountable. Similarly, tour programs conducted by unlicensed guides are problematic to control and administer.
Elaborating on this argument, Purwa explained that when visitors to Bali encounter bad service it would be highly difficult to track down tour operators that hold no license. The Indonesian Guide Association (HPI) and ASITA will be unable to summon travel agencies or guides whom are unlicensed and therefore not members in good standing of either organization.

There is also a need to bring illegal accommodation providers into line in Bali. Illegal accommodation businesses damage the island’s image and destroy existing rate structures. Purwa argues that in order to avoid a price war within the accommodation sector there exists a need to regulate the price standard for hotel rooms in Bali. Fail to do his, he said, and tourists will complain about the quality of accommodation rented to them at non-sustainable rates.
 

Bali Daily (The Jakarta Post) reports that Bali has plans to develop seven tourism villages catering to retired foreign visitors.

The Bali Hotels Association (BHA) and Bank Indonesia (BI), working together with the provincial tourism authority, are extending technical planning expertise and financial assistance for the projects.

The executive director of the BHA, Djnaldi Gosana, said, “We’re supporting the tourism villages so they can prepare and have the required skills to welcome and serve this kind of tourists.”

Slated for eventual development as senior citizen destination in Bali are Tabanan, Blimbingsari in Jembrana, Bedahulu in Gianyar, Penglipuran in Bangli, Pancasari in Buleleng, Budakeling and Jasri in Karangasem.

A new organization – the Bali Retirement Tourism Authority (BRTA) has been established to regulate retirement tourism on Bali and formulating a policy recommendation on accommodation long-periods of stays in Bali and facilitating the property purchases.

“When the policy is ready for enactment and the villages are prepared, we will open the opportunity for investors to build retirement resorts in areas around the villages and to organize the people to come here,” Djinaldi said.


In keeping with desires to spread investment to new areas of Bali, investors will only be allowed to establish retirement-oriented businesses in outside the crowded southern regions of the island.

Reflecting the need for higher quality and greater sustainability in developing Bali’s tourism future, Djinaldi said: “We’ve had enough of mass tourism. Wealthy tourists are no longer attracted to it. They want something authentic by getting involved in daily activities with villagers.”

The BI deputy chief for Bali, Made Sadguna, revealed that the Nation’s central bank would create financing scheme to encourage retirement tourism projects. In keeping with this program, BI is providing funding to seven villages.

The chairman of the newly established BRTA, Ketut Sukardika, announced that meetings would soon be held with the provincial administration to discuss tourism programs for retired people.

Established under a provincial decree, the BRTA has seven members.

Bali governor Made Mangku Pastika has used the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the 2002 Bali bombings to urged all parties affected to forgive those who perpetrated the terrorist acts.

“It is indeed not easy to forget such a big tragedy that has claimed so many lives, but now is the time for mutual forgiveness. Hopefully, we are all ready to openly forgive,” said Pastika.

The first step to forgiveness, according to Bali’s governor who was also the key investigator in capturing the men responsible for the Bali bombings, is to put peace and toleration in the ascendency in order to permit a positive view of the future, Quoted by Seputarbali.com, Pastika said that terrorism cannot be overcome by merely capturing those responsible for the acts. He said that terrorism is a matter of ideology and can emerge in society whenever  people feel they are marginalized, discriminated against, have suffered injustice or fallen victim to misquided religious teachings.

Pastika asked: “Who can guarantee that terrorists place in prison won't influence other prisoners or won't be even more notorious after their release? (Because of this) comprehensive measures, such as indefinite imprisonment, must be devised and appreciated.”

Bali’s governor see terrorism as an example of transnational crime that knows no borders, can strike with little warning anywhere in the world, and by no means limited in locale to only Indonesia. “There systems are so sophisticated. Because of this, the approach to controlling terrorism must be comprehensive, beginning from steps that are preemptive, preventive and rehabilitative. Who will guarantee that that after they (the terrorists) are released (from prison) that they won’t become terrorists again?” he asked.

The former head of the Bali police force and the man credited with bringing the Bali bombers to justice compares terrorism to an iceberg, with only a small portion visible to the naked eye. The unseen portion is comprised of poverty, injustice, discrimination and false teachings.

Pastika said that until we address all components of the terrorism issue there will always exist the possibility for future terrorist incidents.

He also warned that no matter how sophisticated the security system put in place to prevent terrorism, there is always the possibility that terrorists will evade detection. Adding, “In the effort to welcome mass tourism, there will certainly be terrorists who manage to conceal themselves.”

Legendary Indonesian stage and screen actress Christine Hakim has declared her dream to see Bali develop into an Asian film center. Her ambitions on behalf of the island flow from the the goals of the BALINALE Film Festival that has taken place in Bali since 2007.

On the eve of the 6th BALINALE International Film Festival to be held in Bali October 19-28, 2012, Christine insists that Indonesia has many advantages that make the realization of her dream possible.

Quoted by the National News Agency Antara, Hakim said: “What’s lacking in this Country? We have it all. Natural locations, natural beauty, a wealth of nature, rich cultures, and talented human resources with the largest population after China and India.”

Hakim’s comments were made at a press conference for the BALINALE International Film Festival held in Jakarta on Friday, October 12, 2012.

The talented actress, who appeared in the Hollywood feature film Eat Pray Love together with Julia Roberts, wishes to see Bali become the gateway for foreigners and film companies wishing to explore other regions of Indonesia.

Saying that Hollywood is actively searching for alternative shooting locations that are both exotic and are relatively less expensive, Indonesia is well poised to exploit this opportunity.

Citing how, since the 1970s, Asia, particularly Thailand and Vietnam, become major shooting locations for Hollywood films, she points to the steps taken by those two countries to facilitate and encourage international film projects. In this regard, Christine Hakim hopes the Indonesian government will do more to support filmmaking, supported by the Ministry of Industry that for the first time is lending its support to the BALINALE.

[Bali Discovery Film Services]

The head of the Research Center on Tourism and Culture at Bali’s Udayana University, Agung Suryawan Wiranatha, is urging the government to adopt a more serous approach to “grey” tourism, given the strong potential this market holds for Bali.

Quoted in Bisnis Bali, Suryawan said: “There are many pensioners from abroad who are wealthy. If they have money, they are certain to seek a comfortable life. Normally, they spend their time visiting tourist destinations. This has potential for Bali.”

Moreover, Suryawan believes that the development of “grey” or senior citizen tourism can be done without damage to the island’s existing tourist markets. Adding, “Senior citizen tourism will, in fact, open employment opportunities, such as drivers, nurses and household staff.”

Suryawan shared his vision for “grey” tourism, saying current immigration rules permit tourists to stay in Bali for up to six months. These people can stay in villas and employ drivers, burses and maids.

He admitted that senior citizen tourism is already facilitated in Bali, but only in a partial and less-than-serious manner. This is proven by the existence of a Japanese retirement village in Tabanan, West Bali.

Suryawan pointed to other countries that are adopting a serious plan to garner a share of the senior citizen market. Thailand, for instance, has been developing this market for the past five years. The Bali-based tourism academic estimates the average spend of the grey market is US$75-$100 per day. “Their spending levels may be less that most tourists, but if viewed from the length of stay which is quite long, the benefit to Bali is much larger,” Suryawan said.

The Deputy-minister for Justice and Human Rights, Denny Indrayana says Bali, as a world tourism destination, is ripe for violation of money laundering, terrorism and narcotics laws.

The Bali Post quoted Indrayana, saying, “It is therefore very appropriate that the Witness and Victims Protection Agency (LPSK) is cooperating with traditional elements of Balinese society.”

Indrayana’s comments were offered as the keynote speaker at a ceremony celebrating the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between LPSK and traditional organization in Bali on Thursday, October 11, 2012.

The deputy minister described these areas of criminality are generally well-organized and difficult to control with conventional law enforcement tactics. He went on to explain that different means and standards are needed in the investigative and evidence gathering phase during which wiretaps, decoys and surveillance are needed.

He went on to say the dangers of money laundering in Bali is linked to the strong desire of foreigners to invest in Bali. Meanwhile, the threat of terrorism is linked to the popularity of Bali as an international tourism destination. Finally, Bali’s exposure to narcotics rests with the island’s role as both a transit point and market for illicit drugs, with transactions taking place even in Bali’s Kerobokan Prison.

Because of this, Indrayana said the LPSK could become a pillar in the fight against these forms of organized crime. Adding, organized crime can be uncovered when perpetrators break faith with their criminal collaborators and that can only take place when protection is provided to whistle-blowers, witnesses and criminal participants.

The Bali Working Committee for the Environment (Kekal-Bali) comprised of Bali’s Friends of the Earth (WALHI), Frontier Bali, Bali Out Bound, LPM Kertha Aksara from the Law Faculty of Udayana University and members of Bali’s civil society concerned with conservation demonstrated in Bali on Thursday, October 11, 2012.

The protestors called on Bali’s governor Made Mangku Pastika urging him to urgently withdraw the permit issued to PT Tirta Rahmat Bahari (TRB) to operate in the 102.22 hectare mangrove forest surrounding Bali's airport and adjoining the southern regions of the island.

According to Bali Post, the environmental activists held banners proclaiming, “Withdrawn the Permits of PT TRB”, “Save the Mangrove Forest at Suwung” and “Reject the Exploitation of the Mangrove Forest.”

The demonstrators made speeches questioning the governor’s promises to make Bali clean and green. There speeches portrayed the granting of a license to a private company as a capitulation to a private investor and a commercialization of an environmentally sensitive area.

The deputy of WALHI-Bali, Suryadi Darmoko, described the mangrove forest as the last citadel on the shores of Bali protecting the Balinese people. Arguing that the commercialization of the mangrove will degrade and destroy the mangrove, Suryadi said the governors commitment to the environment is little more than a slogan.

Suryadi said: “The jargon of ‘clean and green’ which is a mainstay of the governor’s plans to solve Bali’s environmental problems is a reverse branding given the actual situation with the island’s environment. The fact (the lease on the mangrove forest) indicates that the sweet jargon of ‘clean and green’ declared since 2010 has failed to create a Bali that is genuinely clean and green.”

The protestors issued 5 demands to governor:

1. To urgently withdraw the permit for a natural tourism business on the 102.22 hectares of land given to PT Tirta Rahmat Bahari over the Mangrove Forest at Ngurah Rai.
2. For the governor to genuinely guard the conservancy of Bali’s mangrove forest while increasing forested areas to the legally mandated minimum of 30% of the island’s entire land area.
3. To refuse all efforts to destroy Bali’s environment, especially the Ngurah Rai Mangrove Forest.
4. That the governor reaffirms its commitment to a clean and green Bali.
5. To implement the long discussed moratorium on new tourism accommodation by creating a comprehensive master plan for Bali’s development.

The demonstration held at the governor’s office was the object of intense police control, but disbanded without incidence.

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[Swamped with Questions]

Bali has an ambition to host the World Under-17 Soccer Championship in 2017.

But, in order to host the games Bali must first build a stadium capable of holding 40,000 spectators.

The State News Agency Antara quotes the chairman of the Bali branch of the Indonesian Soccer Association (PSSI), I Gusti Gede Putra Wirasana, saying, “This is a good opportunity for Bali to become the host of an international championship for under-17 soccer.”

Putra said that if Bali is successful in winning its bid to host the event, he is sure than thousands of players and supporters from around that would flock to Bali.

Wirsana is seeking the support of the chairman of the National Sports Committee (KONI), Made Nariana, to help persuade the Bali provincial government to pursue the international hosting bid.

To win the bid Bali must commence building a 40,000-person sports stadium.

The Jakarta Globe reports that Bali Natural Resource Conservation Agency (BKSDA) has closed crocodile breeding farm and tourist attraction in Mengwi, Badung regency.

The BKSDA confiscated 72 crocodiles from the Reptil Jaya Park that has been operating without the proper licenses since the late 1995. Among the crocodiles removed from the Park were a number of rare saltwater crocodiles - considered among the largest crocodile species, and New Guinea crocodiles.

BKSDA officials also confiscated endangered false gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) - freshwater crocodiles on the endangered reptile list.

The owner of the park, Suharta Arifin, has been taken into custody by the police to be charged under a 1999 Law on Natural Resources carrying a possible penalty of five years in prison and a fine of Rp. 10 million (($10,400).

BKSDA officials confirm that the park had received two written warnings reminding that it lacked the special permits needed to hold and breed endangered species. BKSDA Bali chief Sumarsono said that the lack of any response forced his office to take action.

“The crocodiles were treated inhumanely. A number of them are injured. We suspect something is going on, especially with us finding a crocodile skeleton and all,” Sumarsono said. The 72 animals confiscated were all that remained of an original 318 crocodiles sent form Jakarta.

Officials also cited the park’s lack of safety equipment to prevent accidents involving park visitors.

During days marked with special ceremonies commemorating the 202 people who died in the terrorist attacks of October 12, 2002, a controversy has re-emerged over the disposition of the vacant lot, the former location of the Sari Club before the terrorist attack.

Proposed as a “peace park” to commemorate the 202 who died at the that night at the Sari Club and the nearby Paddy’s Bar, efforts to come to terms on a acceptable price for the site have been unsuccessful, leaving the space to be used as an off-street parking area with the surrounding walls bearing hand-scrawled admonitions in Indonesian not to urinate in the area.

That the park remains unrealized and the grounds, considered sacred by many surviving family members of those who died in 2002, is used for parking and an outdoor toilet by both local and Australian tourists, has angered many.

Quoted by Jakarta Globe, David Marshall, whose father died in the bombing, said: “The urinating is totally disgraceful and disrespectful to the people who lost their lives on that fateful night

. We’ve got people getting drunk on the sites where our loved ones died. We have people parking cars and motorbikes, and selling drinks on a spot which in history will go down as one of the worst times ever in Kuta, and for Australia, and the other nations involved.”

An Australian-based Bali Peace Park Association has offered US$1 million for the property, with the owner reportedly seeking a figure seven times that amount.
 
Photo by Lukman S Bintoro

The recently named UNESCO Geopark at the Batur Volcano, Kintamani, Bangli will play host the 2nd Annual Batur Lake Festival October 19 -21, 2012.

The festival has a wide-ranging program of activities including:

• Baleganjur (marching orchestra) competitions
• Photography contests
• Gebogan (fruit offering) contests
• Penjor (decorated bamboo pole) contests
• Cooking contests
• Fun Bike Tours
• Kintamani dog contest
• Handicraft exhibitions

The Bail Daily (Jakarta Post) reports that the festival has been organized to address declining popularity of the destination due to poor practice and management of the area.

Accordingly, balidiscovey.com has been unable to find a current website with the complete details and timings for the 2nd Annual Batur Lake Festival.

A volcano within a volcano the Kintamani community sits on the edge of caldera overlooking the former crater that is home to Lake Batur and the still-active Mt. Batur volcano.

Lake Batur averages 400,000 visitors each year but is targeting 1.5 million visits by 2014.

On Friday, October 12, 2012, over a thousand people gathered at a memorial service organized at the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Monument Park (GWK) to honor the 202 who died and the scores of others injured in the terrorist attack on Sari Club and Paddy’s ten years earlier.

Moving speeches were offered by Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, former Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa together with prayers from major faiths.

But among the moving tributes delivered by survivors of the bombing tragedy, was that delivered by an 11.5 year-old boy that moved many in the audience to tears.

Made Arya Dana was only 1.5 years old when his Father, Gede Badrawan, who worked at the Sari Club, died at the hands of terrorist.

Ten years later, he took the speakers' podium at GWK before over a thousand people and a TV audience of millions to read a letter to his dead father. Accompanied by his Mother, Ni Luh Erniati, who translated his letter in to English, the boy delivered a most moving eulogy to his departed Father.

Below is Balidiscovery.com’s free translation of Made Arya Dana’s letter.


Surat untuk Ayah
(Letter for Daddy)

A Letter for Daddy

I was one-and-a-half then,
I didn’t understand the meaning of tragedy.
I didn’t understand the meaning of my Mother’s tears.
I had only one hope:
That Daddy would come home with a good toy for me.

I looked at the picture of your face.
I listened to Mother’s stories about you.
Daddy was at work and would bring a toy for me.

How much Daddy loved me.
How I missed your hugs.

Days turned into months.
Months turned into years.
My waiting never ended.

I am almost twelve now,
I am beginning to understand what happened.
I can feel the pain in my Mother’s heart.

I also now understand that Daddy will not come home.
That tragedy has separated us forever.

Today I stand here,
on the same day and same month when Daddy left us.

I read this letter for you Daddy.

For all your love and suffering
I promise that my waiting will end here.
I will seek the future you lost,
I will make your dreams come true,
and I will look after Mama for you.

May God hear all my prayers.


12 October 2012
Made Arya Dana, the second son of Gede Badrawan,
who died at the Sari Club.

Photo: Justin McManus  

A plan put forward by Indonesia’s Minister of Natural Resource and Energy, Jero Wacik, to build a championship golf course on the foothills of Mount Batur on the western escarpment of the volcano, is getting a lukewarm response from many parties in Kintamani.

The proposal to build a golf course at Kintamani has been made several times in the past, failing on each occasion to garner popular support.

Those who question Wacik’s proposal insist a well-developed study that examines the economic and environmental implications of the proposed golf course is needed.

A member of the Bali provincial House of Representatives (DPRD-Bali) from Batur, Drs. I Wayan Gunawan, told Bali Post on Tuesday, October 9, 2012, the proposal to build a golf course in his home district is nothing new. He said it remains to be seen whether or not there is an investor prepared to invest the substantial amount required to develop a golf course. He also said that any plans for a golf course automatically entails the need for supporting services and infrastructure.

Gunawan also questions the economic benefit of the proposed golf course to the people of the region, saying the amount of jobs created by a golf course is fairly limited.

The 2nd Annual Texas Chili Cook-off will be at the The Melting Pot Gameroom Pub in Ubud on Sunday, October 21, 2012.

Repeating the success of last year’s Cook-off, the 2012 event will see both professional and amateur chefs vie for honors to have their recipe declared the seasonal best of Bali.

Winners of last year’s event and both of the qualifying events in this year’s 2012 season will be competing in this grand championship event. Latecomers can also avail themselves of one of a few wild card spaces.

The Chili Cook-off celebrates of a much loved Texas creation that involves cooking up pots of bubbling, spicy chili while entertaining the judges and the crowd with a bit of showmanship. Chili is prepared from scratch at the cook-off site and judged on set criteria by a panel of judges in a blind taste test. Entrants can participate as individuals or teams and demonstrate creativity via props, team T-shirts and other devices to encourage the crowd to vote for their chili in contesting the People’s Choice award.

Professional cooks and restaurants are invited to show off their best Texas chili recipes for bragging rights to Bali’s best pot of chili.

Competition takes place across three categories in which to compete (Chili Appreciation Society International (CASI), freestyle and vegetarian, as well as People’s Choice award.

Those wishing to join the fun as spectators can arrive at The Melting Pot Gameroom Pub on Jalan Pengosekan Hanoman, Ubud starting from mid-day on Sunday, October 12, 2012 until the final judging round begins at around 5:00 pm.

In addition to cooking demonstrations and chili tasting, there will be live music, food, drink and games to add to the merriment.

For more information [Email Melting Pot Ubud]  or telephone Greg ++62-(0) 0815 768 9113

[Chili Appreciation Society International Website]

 

Air New Zealand’s return to Bali for a short June-October season of flights in 2012 was sufficiently successful to embolden the airline to announce a second season of flights in 2013.

Air New Zealand terminated its year-round flights to Bali in the 1990s before restarting the service in 2012.

The group general manager of Air New Zealand Bruce Parton said there has been a 38% increase in the number of New Zealanders visiting Bali, with the heaviest travel taking place during the school holiday periods.

"More than a third of our seats to Bali for the 2012 season sold within the first week so we're expecting them to be incredibly popular once again."

The route is flown with a Boeing 767-300 aircraft for the twice-weekly service flown non-stop from Auckland to Denpasar for the season, which starts on June 1 and ends on October 15, 2013. This is an extension of three weeks over the season operated in 2012.

Special promotion fares are offered for a limited time in both economy and business class.

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[The Kiwis Are Coming]
 

Bali’s Spa industry is urging the government of Indonesia to implement regulatory measures addressing licensing, classification and the standardization of spa service in Indonesia. The proposed regulations, according to proponents, must be coordinated between the Tourism and Health ministries to safeguard the image and reputation of the nation’s fast growing spa industry.

Speaking to Bisnis Indonesia, the chairman of the Bali Spa Association, Lulu Susiani Widjaja, said, “The two ministries need to urgently announce a decision in connection with the classification and standardization (of the spa industry).” Saying clarification is needed to determine which agency of the government the spa industry must answer to, she continued: “For instance, if the industry is more inclined to offer traditional jamu products as one of the contents of its spa product, then it should fall under the Ministry of Health. But if it is a standard spa offering added value to tourism then it should answer to the Ministry of Tourism and the Creative Economy."

Widjaja complained there is no regulation classifying and standardizing the spa industry resulting in great confusion in the licensing process. As a result, many spas remain unregistered and fail to pay any taxes on their operations

According to Widjaja, the loss in taxes for Bali alone may amount to Rp. 240 billion (US$25.2 millions) each year. That figure is derived by applying a 12.5% tax rate on the estimated amount of spa transactions taking placed at unlicensed establishments.

“At this time Bali has approximately 1,000 spas, both licensed and unlicensed,” explained Widjaja.

Working Group on Spa Industry

In response to urgings from Widjaja and others, the Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy, Mari Elka Pangestu, has announced the formation of a working group to work together with the Ministry of Health to strengthen the spa industry.

The working committee will also consult with the Ministry of Finance to determine proper levels of taxation.

Pangestu said part of the problem in developing the spa industry in Indonesia is the negative attitude in which spas are held by many segments of the public. As a result, spa’s are charged taxes normally applied to entertainment venues. The Minister said that spas should be developed as centers of wellness and health.

The Minister agreed that a code of ethical operations is needed to bolster the image of the spa industry to allow spas to realize their potential as a major contributor to the national economy.

Three days of activities centered on Kalibukbuk Beach in North Bali will mark the Lovina Festival to be held October 20 – 22, 2012.

While detailed information is hard to come by, it’s clear that numerous dance presentations and a handcraft exhibition will form part of the fun.

Saturday, October 20, 2012

• Handicraft exhibition on Kalibukbuk Beach from 10 am onwards
• Opening ceremony 5 pm on the main beach at Kalibukbuk including a Baleganjur and Gebogan parade
• Gong Kebyar performing the Ki Barak Panji Skti dance will also be presented.
• Dinner vouchers will be given to tourist for free. 

Sunday, October 21, 2012

• Bull racing at the Kaliasem village on the field on the main road in Lovina at 3:30 pm.
• Lovina Beach Art performance of the Joged Mebarung at 6:30 pm
• Shadow puppet show on the beach at 9:00 pm

Monday, October 22, 2012

• Lovina Beach Art performance Megenjekan at 11:00 am
• Closing ceremony on Lovina Beach to including Gong Kebyar performance at 5:00 pm
• Art performance of Sanghyang Memedi at 7:30 pm

A poll published by the Bali Post indicates most residents of Bali are increasingly concerned with the current free-for-all of allowing investors to change long-standing and pre-designated uses of land in Bali to suit the specific needs of their investment project.

The rapid loss of agricultural zones, no-build “green zones,” and infringement on setback areas from temples, rivers and seaside locations are raising alarm among many in the community that the face of Bali is being irrevocably damaged by the demands of business with little regard for the long-term implicaitons on Bali's culture.

The survey conducted with 680 respondents by phone and written questionnaires by Bali Post asked:

• Do you agree that the process of sub-dividng property be limited in order to minimize the changes in land use?

• Agree – 66%
• Disagree – 22%
• No opinion – 12%

• Does the increase in housing estates in Bali stimulate migration to Bali?

• Agree, stimulates migration to Bali– 53%
• Little effect on migration – 29%
• No opinion – 18%