CANGGUWEEKLY
No.332/16JunMay-23Jun2023
"TheindividualonlyheldaregularClassA driver'slicense,andwiththeminibus's expiredregistration,ouroffcerstookaction byissuingafneandimpoundingthevehicle asevidence,"sharedDenpasarPolice spokesmanIKetutSukadiduringapress briefngtoday.
national'sescapadegainedtractiononline. Respondingpromptlytopublicconcerns, diligenttraffcpatroloffcersinitiateda pursuit.
Theangkotwasinitiallyspotted maneuveringthroughthebustlingstreetsof SunsetRoad-ImamBonjolaround1p.m. yesterday.
Inajaw-droppingturnofevents,a35-yearoldAmericanthrill-seekernamedJared BrendanMellhasfoundhimselfinhotwater afteranaudaciousstintbehindthewheelof apublicminivan(locallyknownasangkot)in DenpasaronMonday.
Caughtred-handedinviolationoftraffc regulations,Jared'sdaringescapade involvedoperatingtheangkotwithout possessingtherequiredClassAdriver's licenseforpublictransportation.To compoundmatters,theminibus's registrationhadalsoexpired,leavinghim vulnerabletofurtherpenalties.
ThemotivebehindJared'sunconventional decisiontonavigatethebustlingstreetsof Baliinanangkotremainsshroudedin mystery.Bystanderscapturedtheremarkable sceneoncamera,whichquicklymadeits roundsonsocialmedia,showcasingJared's resourcefulnessasheusedtheminibusto transporthissurfboard.
Claimingtohaveborrowedthevehiclefroma friend,theadventurousAmericannowfnds himselfentangledinlegalproceedings,facing therepercussionsofhisboldendeavor.
Thisextraordinaryepisodecametolight whenaviralvideocapturingtheforeign
Afterathoroughsearch,authorities corneredJaredneartheiconicTahura Statue,strategicallylocatedalongthe prominentByPassNgurahRai.They promptlysignaledforhimtopullover.
"Removingthedriverfromthevehicle,our offcersconductedacomprehensivecheck ofallnecessarydocuments,includinga thoroughexaminationofthedriver's identifcation,"Ketutexplained.
Theidentityoftheangkot'sownerremains apuzzleyettobesolved.
Inresponsetorecentincidentsof inappropriatebehavior,Bali'sGovernor, IWayanKoster,hasissuedanofcial decreeprohibitingclimbingactivitieson 22majormountainsintheregion.
Thedecision,aimedatpreservingthe sacrednessandsanctityofthese mountains,followsreportsofforeign touristspostingnudephotosonsocial mediawhileatopthesereveredpeaks. Thisdisrespectfulbehaviorhas promptedwidespreadconcernamong thelocalBalinesecommunity.
Duringacoordinationmeetingon tourismheldonWednesday,May31, 2023,GovernorKosterexpressedhis frustrationwiththecostlyandtimeconsumingpurifcationritualsrequired followingsuchincidents.Heemphasized theneedtomaintainthecultural integrityandsanctityofBali'smountains.
Asaresult,22mountainsinBalihave beenofciallyclosedtoclimbersand visitors,irrespectiveoftheirnationality. Aprovincialregulationisbeingdrafted toenforcethisprohibitionforboth domesticandinternationaltourists. However,exceptionswillbemadefor Bali-Hinduresidentsparticipatingin religiousceremoniesandspecial activities.
Whilethenewregulationshavealready takenefect,furtherdetailswillbe specifedintheupcomingprovincial regulation.Itremainstobeseenwhether therecentlyupgradedSacredTemple ComplexatPuraBesakih,locatedonthe slopesofMountAgung,willremain accessibletonon-Hindudomesticand internationalvisitorsunderthenew decree.
GovernorKosteracknowledged concernsraisedbylocalmountain guidesregardingpotentialjoblosses. However,hestressedtheimportance ofadoptingalong-termand sustainableperspectivefortheoverall beneftofBalianditstourismindustry.
Theclosureofthesemountainsisseen asapopularmoveamongthepeople ofBali,accordingtoGovernorKoster. Nevertheless,INengahSuratnata, chairmanoftheAbangMountain TourismAwarenessGroup(Kelompok SadarWisata-Pokdarwis),hascalled forareviewofthenewregulations. Suratnatabelievesthatwhile preservingthesanctityofthe mountainsisessential,visitoraccess canbemanagedwithoutacomplete prohibitiononclimbingactivities.
EstimatesindicatethatMountAbang, oneoftheafectedpeaks,attractsan averageof10to50climbersdaily. ConsideringclimbersfromKintamani, Bangli,thenumberincreasesto approximately30to100peopleper day.
