Saraswati Celebration
Thousands of Hindu worshipers celebrating Saraswati Day prayed at Puputan Badung Square and Jagadnatha Temple in Denpasar. They prayed to worship the manifestation of Ida sang Hyang Widhi symbolized by Goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge. The prayer was led by Ida Pedanda Pemaron from Griya Hyang Batu Pemaron. The people congregated at the Jagadnatha Temple after praying in their schools and offices. Meanwhile Bali Province Library was not crowded. According to Secretary of Library Board, Ketut Budiawan, they hold a special ceremony for the books. In the afternoon, the people hold ceremonies for their books and lontar at home. (Nusa Nov. 2)
ATM Thief Arrested
Dede Susanto, 55, was arrested by an officer of Denpasar City Police, accused of stealing money from ATMs. Susanto used the negligence of his victims and successfully got tens of million rupiah. He stood near the door of ATM booths and as the customers are often in a hurry, many of them leave their ATM cards. Susanto uses the situation by continuing to draw money using the forgotten card. His biggest haul was Rp. 20 million of Ni Made Asti’s ATM card. In the interrogation, he admitted of committing many such crimes. (Denpost Oct. 31)
Suspect in Banyuning Unrest Arrested
After having been chased for two days, Buleleng Police finally arrested Sadia, a cadre of Buleleng Golkar Party. Sadia is strongly indicated as masterminding the Molotov bombs incident in Banyuning, on Monday night (27/10). By Wednesday (29/10), the Police had arrested three suspects of the Banyuning unrest. An eyewitness said there were four bomb throwers,” said Chief of Buleleng Police AKBP Drs. Moh. Safei. The situation in Banyuning from Monday to Tuesday was tense. (BP 30 Oct.)
Ecstasy Traffickers in Kerobokan Prison Arrested
Narcotics Unit of Denpasar Police successfully uncovered a gang of ecstasy traffickers in Kerobokan Prison. Two prisoners Gusti Ngurah Agung Juniarta, 34, from Tabanan; Arman Maulidi, 38, from Ujungpandang and the courier, Oktavianus Likumahua, 26, are allegedly involved. Arman was recently sentenced to 10 years imprisonment for possessing thousands of ecstasy pills and heroin while Juniarta was sentenced six years for psychotropic possession. (Denpost Oct. 27)
Bloody Buleleng
In a clash between the supporters of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and Golkar Party on Sunday morning (26/10) in Bulelelng, two people were killed, the Headquarters of the Golkar Party and a post of Golkar were destroyed and five vehicles were burnt. Police forces stayed alert in some places in Buleleng and Banjar subdistricts. Chief of Buleleng Police KBP Moh. Safei secured the location immediately and detained two PDI-P members who allegedly committed the murders. The incident started when a fleet of PDI-P cars were stoned while passing by the office of Golkar Buleleng. (Nusa Oct. 27)
Clash Nearly Occurred in Denpasar
A political party related clash nearly occurred in Denpasar when two groups of people from Golkar and PDI-P Party confronted each other in front of the Golkar Office on Jalan Surapati, Denpasar on Sunday (26/10). Some PDI-P people that passed in front of the building were chased by the Golkar supporters which carried iron pipes and other weapons. According to Golkar people, the PDI-P cars sounding their horns in front of the building are annoying. (Nusa Oct. 27)
