CANGGUWEEKLY
No.328/19May-26May2023
BaliAuthoritiesIntroduceComprehensive"DosandDon'ts"CardforForeignVisitors Inabidtoensureaharmoniousand informedexperienceforforeignvisitors,the Baligovernmenthasannouncedplansto createacomprehensive"DosandDon'ts" card.Thisinitiativeaimstoprovideessential guidelinesfortravelerstoBali,outliningwhat ispermissibleandwhatisnotwithinthe island'sculturalandlegalframework.
AnggiatNapitupulu,theHeadofthe RegionalOffceoftheBaliMinistryofLaw andHumanRights,shareddetailsofthe upcomingcardduringapressbriefngheld onMonday,May15,2023.Heemphasized thatthecardwouldbedistributedtoforeign nationalsupontheirarrivalattheIGusti NgurahRaiAirport,aspartofthe immigrationprocess.
Collaborativediscussionsinvolvingthe RegionalOffceoftheBaliMinistryofLaw andHumanRights,theBaliProvincial
Government,andtheTourismOffcehave beenongoingtodevelopthecontentand designofthedosanddon'tscard.Napitupulu explainedthatthetourismoffceiscurrently formulatingthenarrative,consideringthe possibilityofapocket-sizedsheetoracard format.Thecardwillprovideconciseand accessibleinformationaboutthepermissible activitiesandbehaviorsexpectedfrom visitorswhileinBali.
Whilethefnalizationofthecardisstillin progress,Napitupuluemphasizedthe involvementofstakeholderstoensureits accuracyandeffectiveness.This collaborativeeffortaimstopromote awarenessandresponsibleconductamong tourists,fosteringculturalappreciationand respectforlocalcustoms.
Inadditiontothedosanddon'tscard,the MinistryofLawandHumanRightshastaken
anothersignifcantsteptoinformand remindforeignvisitorsabouttheexisting regulationsinBali.Dozensoflarge billboardsarebeinginstalledatstrategic locationsacrosstheisland,featuring informationinthreewidelyspoken languages:English,Russian,andHindi.
Byimplementingtheseinitiatives,theBali governmentseekstoenhancethevisitor experience,encourageculturalsensitivity, andcontributetoapositiveandrespectful interactionbetweentouristsandthelocal community.
AsBalicontinuestoattractadiverserange ofinternationalvisitors,theseproactive measuresaimtoestablishamoreinformed andresponsibletourismenvironment, preservingtheisland'suniquecultural heritageandensuringamemorableand enjoyableexperienceforallwhovisit.
Bali,theenchantingIndonesianisland knownforitsbreathtakinglandscapesand vibrantculture,isembarkingona transformativejourneywiththeintroduction ofitsveryownLightRailTransit(LRT) system.Thisambitiousprojectaimsto revolutionizeBali'stransportationnetwork andenhanceconnectivityforresidentsand touristsalike.
TheLRTproject,acollaborativeeffort betweentheBaliprovincialgovernmentand SouthKorea,ispoisedtobringnumerous beneftstotheisland.Withtheinitialphase focusingonconnectingtheNgurahRai InternationalAirporttothebustlingtourist hubofKuta,theLRTsystemwillprovidea much-neededalternativetoprivatevehicles andmotorcycles,whichhavecontributedto traffccongestionandenvironmental concerns.
Scheduledforcompletionby2027,theLRT systemwillspana9.46-kilometerroute, featuringfourstrategicallylocatedstops:the airport,CentralParkirKuta,DiscoveryMall, andSeminyak.Combiningundergroundand elevatedsections,thismoderntransit systempromiseseffcientandreliable transportationforcommutersandtourists
navigatingtheisland.
ThetotalcostoftheLRTprojectisestimated atIDR10trillion(US$671million),with fundingderivedfromacombinationof governmentandprivateinvestments.South Korea'sinvolvementbringstechnical expertiseandfnancialsupport,solidifying thecollaboration'scommitmenttorealizing Bali'svisionofanintegratedpublic transportationsystem.
TheimpactoftheLRTonBali's transportationlandscapeisexpectedtobe substantial.Byalleviatingtraffccongestion andreducingrelianceonprivatevehicles,the LRTwillenhancetheoveralleffciencyof travel,makingiteasierforbothresidentsand visitorstoexploretheisland'swonders. Additionally,theintroductionofthismodern transitsystemwillcontributetoagreenerand moresustainableenvironmentbycurbingair pollutionandpromotingcleanermodesof transportation.
Beyonditstransportationbenefts,theLRT projectisanticipatedtostimulatethelocal economy.Theconstructionandoperation phaseswillgenerateemployment opportunities,supportingBali'sworkforceand contributingtoeconomicgrowth. Furthermore,theimprovedaccessibility affordedbytheLRTisexpectedtoattract moretouriststotheisland,boostingthe hospitalityandtourismsectors.
Witheachpassingday,Balidrawscloserto therealizationofitstransportationrevolution. TheupcomingLRTsystemrepresentsa monumentalstepforward,drivenbythe sharedvisionoftheBaliprovincial governmentandtheirpartnersfromSouth Korea.Astheislandpreparestowelcome
thistransformativemodeoftransportation, thefutureofBali'sconnectivityispoisedto enteraneweraofeffciency,sustainability, andeconomicprosperity.
Quotations:
BaliGovernorWayanKosterexpressedhis optimismabouttheLRTproject,stating, "TheLRTisamajorinfrastructureproject forBali,anditisexpectedtohavea positiveimpactontheisland'seconomy andenvironment.Weenvisionafuture whereBaliembracessustainableand effcienttransportationsolutions."
SouthKoreanAmbassadortoIndonesia KimChang-beomsharedhisexcitement, stating,"TheLRTprojectisawin-winfor bothBaliandSouthKorea.Itsignifesa deepeningpartnershipbetweenour nationsandhighlightsourjoint commitmenttofosteringeconomicgrowth andenhancingthequalityoflifefor Balineseresidents."
PublicReaction:
TheannouncementofBali'sforthcoming LRTsystemhasgeneratedawaveof enthusiasmamongthepublic.Many residentsandtouristsalikeareeagerly anticipatingthepositivechangestheLRT willbring,includingreducedcongestion, improvedairquality,andenhanced convenienceforexploringtheisland's captivatingattractions.Thepublic's overwhelmingsupportunderscoresthe beliefthattheLRTprojectwillelevate Bali'stransportationinfrastructuretonew heightsandpropeltheislandtowarda moresustainableandconnectedfuture.
NewRegulationsMandateInternationalDrivingPermitforMotorbikeRentalsinBali
TouristsvisitingBaliandplanningtorenta motorbikefortheirtravelswillnowhaveto presentanInternationalDriver’sPermit beforetheycandoso.TheBaliProvince TransportationServicehasannouncedthat internationalvisitorsmusthavetheproper permitstobeabletodrivevehiclesinBali.
AccordingtoSamsiGunarta,theHeadof theBaliProvinceTransportationService, manyforeigntouristshavebeendisobeying traffcrulesanddrivingmotorcycles recklesslyinrecenttimes.Hestatedthat therehasbeenanincreaseinthenumberof foreigntouristswhodonothaveadriver’s licenseandyetrentmotorcycles,creatinga hazardoussituationforthemselvesand otherroadusers.Infact,therehavebeen reportsoftouristsbeinginvolvedin accidentsduetotheirinabilitytohandlethe motorbikes.
Asaresponsetothis,theBaliprovincial governmenthastakenstepstoensurethat touristsadheretotraffcrulesand regulations.Thegovernmenthasmadeit mandatoryforallforeigntouristswhowish torentmotorbikesinBalitopossessan InternationalDriver’sPermit.Failureto presentthispermitwilldisqualifythemfrom
rentingmotorbikesinthe province.
“Thisiswhatmustbeensured, iftheydon’thaveadriver’s license,theycan’t.Theyhave tobedisciplined,theyhaveto havealicense,”Gunartasaid inastatementtothepress.
GovernorIWayanKosterhad previouslysuggestedtheidea ofbanningforeigntourists fromrentingmotorbikesin Bali,astherehadbeen numerousincidentsoftourists causingaccidentswhiledrivingmotorcycles withoutaproperlicense.However,withthe implementationofthisnewregulation,the governmenthopesthattouristswillbemore responsiblewhiledrivingandthataccidents causedbyrecklessdrivingwilldecrease.
Thegovernmenthasalsourgedtouriststobe mindfuloftheirsafetywhiletravelingandto ensurethattheyfollowtraffcrulesand regulations.Itisimportanttonotethatthe government'snewregulationonlyappliesto motorbikerentalsandnotcarrentals.Foreign touristsarestillallowedtorentcarswithout presentinganInternationalDriver’sPermit.
Inconclusion,theBaligovernmentis takingproactivemeasurestoensurethat touristsvisitingtheprovinceadhereto traffcrulesandregulations.Bymandating thepossessionofanInternationalDriver’s Permitformotorbikerentals,the governmenthopestoimproveroadsafety andreducethenumberofaccidents causedbyrecklessdriving.Itisimportant fortouriststoberesponsibleandto prioritizetheirsafetywhiletravelinginBali.
"Bali'sTransformationBegins:LightRailTransitSystemSettoRevolutionizeIsland's TransportationNetwork"
IndonesianCommunicationsMinister JohnnyPlateArrestedinMassive CorruptionCase,CastingShadowson Government'sAnti-CorruptionEfforts
Inashockingturnofevents,Indonesian CommunicationsandInformationMinister JohnnyG.Platewasapprehendedbythe CorruptionEradicationCommission(KPK) onThursday,May19,2023,oncharges relatedtoahigh-proflecorruptioncase involvingtheconstructionofbase transceiverstations(BTS)foragovernment 4Gconnectivityproject.Thearresthassent shockwavesthroughthenationandraised seriousconcernsabouttheextentof corruptionwithinthegovernment.
TheKPKstatedthatPlatewasarrestedat hisresidenceinJakartaaspartofan ongoinginvestigationintothemisuseofhis authority,resultinginsubstantialfnancial lossestothestate.Theallegedcorruption intheBTSproject,whichfellunderthe jurisdictionofPlate'sministry,isestimated tohavecosttheIndonesiangovernmenta staggeringamountofIDR10trillion (US$671million).
Bali'sDeputyGovernor,TjokordaOkaArtha ArdhanaSukawati(CokAce),has requestedthatimmigrationauthoritiesin Balipostbillboardswarningtouristsofthe consequencesofdeportation.The billboardswouldbeplacedatmajor intersectionsandtouristdestinations throughouttheisland.
CokAcesaysthatthebillboardswould serveasaremindertotouriststobehave respectfullyandfollowthelaw.Hebelieves thatthebillboardswouldhelptoreducethe numberoftouristswhoaredeportedeach year.
TheHeadoftheBalioffceoftheMinistryof LawandHumanRights,AnggiatNapitulu, haswelcomedCokAce'sproposal.Hesays thatthebillboardswouldbeavaluabletool foreducatingtouristsabouttheimportance offollowingthelaw.
Napitulusaysthatthebillboardswouldnot listthenamesornationalitiesofdeported tourists.Instead,theywouldsimplydisplay
ThisscandalmarksPlateastheffthminister fromPresidentJokoWidodo'scabinettoface arrestinconnectionwithcorruptioncharges. Thelistincludesformeryouthandsports ministerImamNahrawi,formerfsheries ministerEdhyPrabowo,andformersocial affairsministersIdrusMarhamandJuliari Batubara.Therepeatedoccurrencesofhighrankingoffcialsbeingimplicatedin corruptioncaseshavedeeplytarnishedthe reputationoftheWidodoadministrationand castdoubtsonitscommitmenttocombating corruptioneffectively.
Plate'sarresthasnotonlydealtasevere blowtothegovernment'simagebuthasalso ignitedconcernsaboutthebroader implicationsofsystemiccorruptionwithinthe nation.TheextentofcorruptioninIndonesia haslonghindereditseconomicgrowthand dentedtheconfdenceofpotentialinvestors. TheWidodoadministrationhadpreviously beenlaudedforitseffortstoimprovethe country'sinvestmentclimate;however,this latestdevelopmentposesasignifcant setbacktothoseachievements.
TheKPKhasassuredthepublicthatitwill continueitsinvestigationintotheBTS project,andfurtherarrestsmayfollow.The agencyhaspledgedtoworkcloselywiththe policetoensurethatallsuspects,including Plate,facejusticefortheiralleged involvementinthecorruptionscandal.
ThearrestofPlateisaglaringreminderthat thefghtagainstcorruptioninIndonesiaisfar fromover.Itunderscoresthepressingneed forthegovernmenttotakeswiftanddecisive
thetotalnumberof deportationsthathave occurredinagiven year.
Hebelievesthatthe billboardswouldbea positivestepinhelping toensurethatBali remainsasafeand welcomingdestination fortouristsfromallover theworld.
Accordingtooffcialdata,101foreign nationalsweredeportedfromBaliinthefrst quarterof2023.Themajorityofthese deportationswereforvisaviolations.Other reasonsfordeportationincludedworking illegally,engaginginprostitution,and violatingBalineseculturalnorms.
Tourismoffcialsarealsoconsidering distributingfiersandpamphletscontaining guidelinesandtipsfortouristsvisitingBali.
actiontoeradicatecorruptionatalllevels. TheWidodoadministrationnowfacesthe dauntingtaskofrestoringpublictrust, fortifyingitsanti-corruptionmeasures,and implementingcomprehensivereformsto cleansethesystem.
TheBTSproject,intendedtoextend4G connectivitytoremoteareasofthe archipelago,wasavitalinitiativefor enhancingcommunicationinfrastructure acrossIndonesia.WithabudgetofIDR10 trillion(US$671million),theprojectwas expectedtobridgethedigitaldivideand bringeconomicopportunitiesto underservedcommunities.
Platestandsaccusedofabusinghis authoritybyawardingcontractsto ineligiblecompaniesandinfatingproject costs,resultinginsubstantiallossesforthe state.Thefullextentofthealleged corruptionisyettobeunveiledasthe investigationprogresses.
ThearrestofPlatesendsshockwaves throughtheIndonesianpoliticallandscape, raisingcriticalquestionsabouttheeffcacy ofanti-corruptionmeasuresandtheoverall integrityofthegovernment.Itisnow imperativefortheWidodoadministrationto takeresoluteactiontorestorepublicfaith, rebuildinvestorconfdence,and reinvigoratethefghtagainstcorruption thatcontinuestohinderIndonesia's progress.
Thefierswouldprovideinformationon Balineseculture,customs,andlaws.They wouldalsoprovidecontactinformationfor theimmigrationoffceandotherrelevant authorities.
Thegoaloftheseeffortsistohelptourists understandtheimportanceofrespecting Balinesecultureandlaws.Bydoingso, theycanhelptoensurethattheirstayin Baliisapositiveandenjoyable experience.
