Armed Men Rob Travel Agent
Nusa Dua Bali Tours and Travel in Tuban was robbed on Friday (14/5) by armed men. Kuta Police Chief AKP Komang Sandi Arsana said that the police have been hampered in the investigation as the four staff who were still in the office were tied, and their mouths and eyes covered. The 4 robbers came at 8.30 pm breaking in a door and leaving with USD 3,600 and Rp 28 million from the accounting room. (Denpost May 17)
Victims Demand Solution
The Farmers Forum, Farmer Union, Working Farmers Forum and other groups that claim to be victims of the Bali Pecatu Graha (BPG) project have asked the Bali Governor to resolve the matter. BPG through their lawyer Robert Khuana promised there would be a dialog between the disputed parties but it has never materialized. “Instead we are faced with the police apparatus and hoodlums. Therefore, we demand justice,” said the head of the forum Gede Berata. (Nusa May 17)
Kuta Residents to Build Septic Tanks
The Government of Badung Regency has asked Kuta citizens to build septic tanks to contain their sewage so the wastes would not be disposed of in the drainage canals. However, not all Kuta citizens can build septic tanks because their yards are too small. Meanwhile, on Thursday (13/5) the government forcibly closed many sewage pipes connected to the drainage canals.
Convicted Pedophile Commits Suicide
One day after being sentenced to 13 years imprisonment plus Rp.150 million in fines, Australian William Stuart Brown, alias Tony, 52, hanged himself on Wednesday (12/5). The former Australian diplomat used a rope made from his mattress in his cell in Karangasem Prison. (Denpost May 13)
Firm Measures for Polluters
Director of Bali Legal Aid, I Gede Widiatmika, SH, urged the Badung Regency Government to investigate the illegal sewage dumping in the Kuta drainage canals. The 17 km drainage canal in Kuta has allegedly been used by restaurants, cafes and hotels in the Kuta area for sewage disposal. The brownish waste found in the canal is about 1 to 2 meters in depth. (Nusa May 7)
Drug Smuggling During Holidays
Bali Customs Intelligence warned airport officials to closely anticipate drug smuggling by intensifying their surveillance during peak seasons. Learning from previous cases, the customs authorities found out that illegal drug trafficking activities tend to increase during holidays. Apparently, drug smugglers every so often have tried to take benefit of the busy and tired airport officials who were overwhelmed by the increasing number of visitors arriving in the Island of the Gods, especially during peak seasons. (Nusa May 13)
