Head of the Blood Transfusion Unit of the Bali Red Cross, Prof. Dr. AA Gede Sudewa Djelantik said that each year Bali needs 30,000 packets of blood. The Bali Red Cross lacks rhesus negative blood that is common to foreigners while most Indonesians have rhesus positive. “We ask tourists to donate blood, especially rhesus negative blood ,” he added. (BP Oct. 20)
Snipers
The seven best snipers from the Mobile Brigade (Brimob) have been deployed by the Bali Police to secure the visit of US President George Bush in Bali on October 22. Members of the Secret Service from the US made a rehearsal on Wednesday (15/10) in VIP I room of Ngurah Rai Airport. President Bush is scheduled to land at 11 am coming from Manila before leaving for Australia in the evening. According to Head of Angkasa Pura I Ngurah Rai, drs. IGM Dhordy, the preparation for landing, parking of US Air Force One jet, and taking off have been in the preparation stage. (Nusa Oct. 16)
SMS Fraud
Putu Drestayasa, 31, from Mengwi, was happy to get a letter informing his winning a motorcycle in SCTV Award quiz 2003 that he participated by SMS. The letter looked original and all enclosures were complete. He contacted the organizer’s handphone. Santoso, the organizer, asked Putu to transfer Rp. 8 million for administrative purposes. Though his family prevented him from doing so, Putu borrowed money from several people. After bargaining with Santoso, on Monday (13/10) Putu transferred Rp 5 million. Upon confirming to SCTV Denpasar, Putu’s brother found out the letter was fraud. The case was reported to Denpasar Police. (Denpost Oct. 15)
International Wing at Sanglah
After waiting for one year, an international standard wing will be constructed in Sanglah Hospital at the beginning of 2004. The Rp 20 trillion cost for the first stage construction will be taken from the State Budget, while the Hospital projects the cost will be Rp. 50 trillion. “The construction of the international wing will be in stages according to the government’s budget,” said Minister of Health Ahmad Sujuddi at Sanglah Hospital on Sunday (12/10). (BP Oct. 13)
Howard Says Prayer at Ground Zero
Australian Prime Minister and his wife arrived in Ngurah Rai Airport on Saturday (11/10). He came to commemorate the Kuta tragedy. Howard is expected to take a walk to the Ground Zero. His route is secured by a 5000 member security force including some snipers on the roofs of a number of buildings on Legian Street. Howard is expected to take a walk with the families of victims from Australia to say a prayer before the altar of the bombing location. In the evening, at the Sheraton Laguna, Howard made an award to Insp. Gen. Pol. Made Mangku Pastika and Brig Gen. Pol. Gories Merre. (Nusa Oct. 12)
Bali Trial for 911
Bali will be the first Indonesian location for the 911 emergency service that is now standard in the US and Europe. If it works well here, it will be extended to other areas. (BP 10 Oct.)
Grenade Found in Negara
Samsuri, a resident in Yeh Sumbul, Negara, found a grenade on a local village bridge on Tuesday (7/10). The grenade that was made in Korea was then brought to the Mendoyo Police for further investigation. Chief of Jembrana police AKBP Jhonny Latupeirisa assumed that it was an active grenade though its detonator has been removed. The grenade is being kept at the Mobil Brigade Unit in Gilimanuk. (BP Oct. 9)
