Fuel Prices to Rise Mid January 2005
The Indonesian Government is currently considering the possibility of increasing fuel price in the country, after the 100 days governing program ends. According to Financial Minister Yusuf Anwar, the Government is considering increasing the price nearing a more suitable level, based on inflation, world’s oil price and other factors. Therefore it will ask the DPR (people’s assembly) to agree on the issue after January 20, 2005. “Because, the end of 100 days program ends in January,” Yusuf said. He also stated that the price increase was inevitable since, otherwise addressed now, it would only become a problem in the future. (Nusa November 3)
1.2 Million Foreigners Visit Bali
Statistics shows that 1,221,437 foreign visitors visited Bali from January to October this year. This is a slight increase from last year’s statistics of 999,473 visitors. The visitors mostly come from Japan, Australia and Taiwan, followed by Germany, UK, France, South Korea, Malaysia and Singapore. According to the head of Asita Bali, although the level of visitors coming to Bali is increasing, financially, the statistics is still below standard. He explained that after the bomb, tourism package prices being offered are still promotional prices, and not the normal ones. (Nusa November 7)
Former Patient Plans to Sue Sanglah Hospital
A former patient of Sanglah Hospital, I Madek Ariada (Dek Arik) plans to sue the hospital for malpractice, for he is sure that the doctors at the hospital had done something wrong during his treatment. Dek Arik is in poor condition now. His right eye is totally blind, he is deaf and half of his body cannot feel anything. He claimed he is ready to be imprisoned if he is proven guilty. According to his father, if Dek Arik did not have a speech difficulty, he would have told the family about what happened to him while he was in the hospital. (Nusa, November 7)
More Discussions on Geothermal Project
Head of Forestry Board Bali, I Made Sulindra, said that currently geothermal issues in Bedugul are still under discussion. Komisi B DPRD Bali (regional people’s assembly) has stated its objection to the geothermal project in Bedugul, fearing the side effect of the drilling on the area surrounding it. (Bali Post November 10)
Arts Mission to India
Balinese artists, represented by the Indonesian Arts Institute (ISI), planned to perform at India’s Presidential Palace, on 15 to 18 November 2004. The performance, besides being a response to the invitation by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations Ministry External Affairs, is also a road-show promotion from the Bali Tourism Board. The artists planned to perform the story of Ramayana. While in India they planned to perform three times at several places. (Nusa November 12)
24-hour Firefighters for Christmas, New Year
Anticipating the approaching Christmas and the New Year, the firefighters department (DPK) in Badung said it has prepared 24-hour personnel. DPK Badung would also set up several additional posts for areas notorious for fire cases. The areas namely are Abiansemal, Mengwi, Kebo Iwa, Kunti Street, Pantai Kuta Street, and Patung Dewa Ruci. DPK Badung would be supported by 16 vehicles, including 3 vehicles with ladders and 177 personnel. (Denpost November 12)
BTDC 31 Years Old
PT Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC) last Friday (November 12) is 31 years old. The company, led by Made Mandra, was recently awarded the “Green Globe 21” certificate. BTDC is a nationally-owned company and was established in 1973. (Bali Post November 12)
Sanur Residents Complain about DSDP
The realization of the Denpasar Sewerage Development Project (DSDP) in Sanur area has been criticized. Besides the problem of being too long in its development process, residents also complain about the finishing - as holes dug during the process are not yet covered. This, they said, can be dangerous for motorbike riders. (Bali Post November 13)
Exports Must Go On
Industry and Trade Department’s spokesperson, Nengah Artawayasa, said that his office has anticipated the long Lebaran holiday and guaranteed that it would still try to give the best service to the people, especially exporters. In other words, export activities must go on despite the holiday. “If there is an urgent matter, contact us. We will serve you,” he said. According to the latest statistics, Bali’s export in general is increasing. In January to September 2004, the total export reached USD 379,017 million, or an increase of 4,68 percent from the year before. (Nusa November 13)
Investment Permit Considered
Minister of Economy, Aburizal Bakrie, said his department would shorten the permit process for foreign investment, from 150 days to 30 days. “Although currently we haven’t got the rules laid down yet, in the future Investment Coordination Board (BKPM) will attempt to implement it,” he said. He also said that the department would implement a one-door concept in the BPKM and would make BPKM an investment promotion board in the country. With this concept, he explained, investors need only to submit an application once, instead of several times, as what is happening now. (Nusa Novermber 13)
November, Garuda Passengers Check In at International Gate
The Ngurah Rai Airport planned to allocate Garuda passengers with destination Jakarta to the international departure gate at the Airport, from 17 to 22 November. According to data from PT Angkasa Pura I Ngurah Rai Airport, between the dates, there would be quite a lot of flights, including extra flights, so the domestic departure gate would not be able to hold all passengers. Garuda itself has added 88 additional flights for Denpasar. “We have arranged it all so that there would be no chaos in the terminal, due to the additional flights. (Nusa November 13)
Minister Suggests More Countries for VoA
The Tourism Minister, Jero Wacik, has suggested more countries to be included in VoA. He said that the Government is considering the suggestion, and in a short time will discuss the issue. He said that so far only 21 countries are included into VoA, and since the implementation on 1 February 2004, it has contributed a good national income. Even, Jero Wacik said, foreign tourists claimed they do not mind VoA is being implemented. “But they did ask that service at the airport can be sped up and made simpler. Therefore we have coordinated with the involved parties, and in a short time would be able to add more lockets for VoA,” he said. (Bali Post November 13)
68 Students Poisoned
Sixty-eight students and nine teachers from SD 5 Pelaga, Badung, suffered from poison after eating tongkol fish in the school, on Saturday, November 13. Most of the students and teachers vomited and are in poor condition at the hospital. According to a source, some 20 percent of the victims are in critical condition. The incident started when the teachers gave the students raw fish to be cooked. The activity is a part of an education support program, intending to give students nutritious food. The fish were bought frozen, and are now with the BPOM Denpasar for further investigation. (Bali Post November 14)
