Protests for Bali 911 Plan
The International Air Transportation Association (IATA) admitted it was not aware of the plan to charge airline companies US$30-$40 for every visitor who flies to Bali. IATA Bali’s chief, Yan Hastama, claimed he was surprised when it was reported that YLKMI organization was negotiating with IATA regarding the so-called “Bali PSS 911 ERS” - the code name for the charge. Meanwhile, the Chief Director of BTDC Nusa Dua, Made Mandra, asked the Governor of Bali to cancel the SK (legislation) regarding permission to operate “Bali 911”, so that there would be no reason for its operators to do the charging. (Bali Post September 8)
Polish Tourist Lost Millions
Intending to have a holiday, a Polish visitor, Cesuk Ceurler, who stayed at Bungalow Mahalini in Kuta, lost valuables totaling Rp. 152 million last Monday (September 6). According to Kuta police, the theft happened at dawn, when Cesuk was deeply asleep. The room door was not locked. Cesuk lost three Sony laptops, Sony MCD player, two mobile phones - Ericsson and Siemens brands, two digital cameras, two watches and cash of 500 Euro. The thief has not been found. (Denpost September 8)
Australia Orders Citizens to Leave Indonesia
The Australian Government has ordered its citizens to leave Indonesia, following the bombing of the Australian Embassy in Jakarta on September 9. It has prepared 20 airplanes coming from civil and military headquarters to evacuate Australians who are still living in Indonesia. Officially, on Saturday (September 11) the Government asked for its people to leave the country, following strong indications that Jakarta and Bali would again experience similar bombings in the future. The so-called strong indication is a finding of Australian intelligence, which reports that terrorist networks in Indonesia will attack western (or westernized) hotels, or expatriate spots. (Nusa September 12)
Two Bomb Threats in Denpasar in One Day
A day after Pemkab Badung’s office received bombing threat, now it’s the turn of Taxation office (Kantor Pajak) at Mpu Tantular Street and Gedung Keuangan (Monetary building) at Niti Mandala Denpasar which a received similar threat. However Polda Bali did not come across any bombs or anything suspicious in both buildings. (Nusa September 16)
Governor Rejects Permit for Geothermal Exploration
Following a permit issued by the Forestry Department regarding using land for geothermal exploration in the protected natural site at Batukaru, Bali Governor, Drs Dewa Made Beratha, rejected giving permit for the exploration. According to government’s spokesperson, A.A. Bagus Netra, the refusal was based on the concern for the area, as Batukaru and the surrounding locality is a conservation area. The Government said that if the central Government insisted on carrying out the exploration, it needed to get recommendations from the Governor and the Bupati. (Bali Post September 16)
Wednesday Earthquake Kills One
An earthquake shook Bali last Wednesday (September 15), at 4:30 pm, measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale. The strong quake killed a man and injured several, who were quickly rushed to the Sanglah Hospital. The victim, 33-year-old I Ketut Suardana, was working at a project site at Udayana University. When the quake hit, he was on the third floor and jumped outside. He died immediately. The other two injured Balinese were Gede Arkama and Gusti Ayu Windari. Armana fell from a building in Sesetan, while Gusti fell from stairs at the workplace. (Bali Post September 16)
Korea Issues Travel Ban
Despite the aftermath of the recent Jakarta bombing has not affected the national tourism industry largely, still several countries decided to issue travel bans to visit Indonesia. Following the USA and Australia, the Korean Government has also issued a ban. Korea is one of the major tourist contributors to Bali. In January-July 2004 alone, Korean tourists were on the fourth place following Japan, Australia and Taiwan, with the number of direct arrivals reaching 45,576 people. (Nusa September 16)
Angie Defeats Jelena at WTA
Indonesia’s female tennis player, Angelique “Angie” Widjaja, currently on the 139th place in the WTA, successfully defeated Jelena Jankovic (ranks 41 in WTA) with scores 4-6, 6-2 and 6-2 at the WTA Tennis Tournament Tour Wismilak International at the Grand Hyatt, Nusa Dua, last Wednesday (September 15). (Bali Post September 16)
Eight Pharmacies Have No License
Eight pharmacies in the Denpasar area have been caught operating without a license. The finding was the result of a routine inspection. According to I Nengah Sugamia from the Dinas Lingkungan Hidup, a division of Denpasar Government, he was sure there were plenty more pharmacies which also operate without licenses, probably even half of the total 150 pharmacies. He also said the main reason of the reluctance to get a license is that the pharmacies do not own an IMB. (Nusa September 18)
2,500 Attend Scorpions Concert
Around 2,500 attended the Scorpions concert at Garuda Wisnu Kencana, Jimbaran, on Saturday (September 18). The band’s members, Klaus Meine (vocal), Rudolf Schenker (guitar), Matthias Jabs (guitar) and two new personnel, Powel Machwoda (bass) and James Kottak (drum) opened the concert with a song, New Generation, taken from their newest album “Unbreakable”. Scorpions, which were once named The Heroes of Heavy Metal by the Rolling Stone Magazine, also performed several past hits such as No One Like You, Big City Night, Rock You Like A Hurricane, Still Loving You, and Winds of Change. (Nusa September 19)
Furniture Business Drops by 30 Percent
The furniture-export industry is currently dropping, due to the weak buying power of international societies, claimed Dewa Gde Astama from the Indonesian Furniture Industry Association. According to Astama, not only the global crisis, furniture sellers also have to face the lack of raw materials. Indonesia also has a strong rival, China, whose products already control the international market. China’s products are cheap while still maintaining quality. (Bali Post September 20)
Megawati Pleas for Peaceful Election
President Megawati Sukarnoputri has asked all Indonesians to prove to the world that the country can execute the national election democratically, safely, orderly and peacefully. Megawati also stressed that whoever would become the next President and Vice President are the recognized leaders of the nation, and should be accepted and supported by all, regardless of the political background. The other candidate, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, also requested his supporters to act responsibly in the political process. (Bali Post September 20)
SBY Guaranteed to Win Election
Current result for Monday’s presidential election is in, with Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (SBY) still leading ahead of Megawati Sukarnoputri. (Bali Post September 21)
