High Winds in Baturiti
Residents of Baturiti, Tabanan were shocked by the typhoon like winds on Monday morning (15/12) that destroyed the roofs of residents’ houses. Eight houses, 5 chicken coops and cow pens were destroyed. (BP Dec. 16)
Fossil Bones of Ancient Man Cremated
The bones which allegedly belonged to an ancient man that were found by a number of villagers of Mekarsari, Negara were cremated where they were found. Head of Mekarsari Banjar, Nengah Sudiartana said the cremation was at the Ida Pedanda’s direction. After the cremation, the residents brought the ashes to the ocean. (BP Dec. 15)
Fraud in Civil Servant Recruitment
The recruitment for Badung civil servants has become corrupt. The price for a high school teaching job is Rp. 50 million and an university teaching job is Rp. 75 million. The price cannot be bargained as it is set by officials in Jakarta to pass the applicants. Some applicants submit money and other belongings as a guarantee to be able to become a civil servant. An applicant stated, they don’t only pay cash but submit land certificates or vehicles. (Nusa Dec. 13)
Questions Prevail on Visa on Arrival
The visa on arrival at Ngurah Rai airport has drawn questions on transparency and technical mechanisms. It is recommended that there be three layers of officers from different offices to take care of visa applications: money collectors from a bank, an officer from the Ministry of Justice and Human rights to issue the visa and a counter person that stamps the visa. (Nusa Dec. 10)
Ten Counters to Apply for Visa on Arrival
The struggle of the tourism sectors in Bali to cancel the visa on arrival policy has failed. The policy will be implemented in January 2004 according to Presidential Decree No. 18 2003. 18 counters have been constructed in the arrival terminal of Ngurah Rai airport. Ten counters were constructed for visitors that do not have visas yet while the other 8 counters are for visitors that already have visas. An online computerized system will be used to take care of the applications for visa on arrival. (Nusa 9 Dec.)
Incident in Klungkung
The incident happened on Jalan Raya Besakih, Banjar Sangging, Akah Village, Klungkung, around Thursday (4/12) midnight. The incident started when 20 Jumpai villagers, supporters and players, walked through Akah village to play volley ball in Gembalan village. A little while later, more Jumpai villagers riding 18 motorcycles drove through Akah village to watch the game. Akah villagers stopped the motorcycles trapping the Jumpai villagers. They tortured the Jumpai villagers and burnt their 18 motorcycles. The incident was worse because the police came late to the scene. Eight of Jumpai villagers had to be brought to hospital. (Nusa Dec. 6)
15 Year Old Student Hangs Self
A junior high school student, Candra Halim, 15 was found dead hanging in his house on Poppies Street, Kuta, on Friday (5/12). He allegedly had problem with his girlfriend. Other sources said he committed suicide because his parents often scolded him. (Denpost Dec. 6)
Newcastle Disease in Tabanan
The Newcastle disease that infected poultry in Karangasem has broken out in Tabanan. Up until December 2003, 15,000 hens were killed causing poultry breeders to suffer a Rp. 375 million loss because of the deadly disease. Head of Tabanan Poultry Office, Ir. I Gusti Putu Suandi, said on Thursday that there is no medicine to cure the disease which broke out on November. The investigation shows that the disease is caused by a virus. Egg prices have gone up but people are afraid of buying eggs thinking they contain diseases. (BP Dec. 5)
