Balinese ask for forgiveness<\/p>\n
Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali<\/p>\n
Tears flowed as the Balinese asked for forgiveness and
\nunderstanding from last Saturday's bombing victims and their
\nfamilies at a gathering held by heads of the traditional
\ncommunities of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak here on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Speaking through their tears, the Bendesa Adat, or community
\nheads, also expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to
\nthe victims and their families.<\/p>\n
"Oh God ... how could this have happened to us? How?" I Made
\nWandra, the Kuta community head, asked through his tears.<\/p>\n
The audience, including foreign journalists, fell silent and
\nsome were barley able to contain their own tears.<\/p>\n
"Our nation's sense of humanity has been deeply shaken by this
\nuncivilized act of terrorism. We never imagined this kind of
\ntragedy would take place here because we have always felt safe in
\nKuta, Bali.<\/p>\n
"Many have said that Bali is a paradise island. However,
\nterrorists can also reach this safe place, meaning that anywhere
\nin the world at anytime a tragedy like this can happen. This
\nproves that no one can guarantee their safety," Wandra said.<\/p>\n
The gathering was organized by three community heads -- I Made
\nWandra of Kuta, I Wayan Widana of Legian and I Wayan Mara of
\nSeminyak -- to announce their plan to hold a series of
\npurification rituals in connection with the bombings.<\/p>\n
The gathering, however, turned into an emotional event when
\nthey asked all citizens, government officials and security
\nofficers to strive toward purifying the country and to remain
\nconsistent in creating justice, peace and unity. They also urged
\nthe nation to refrain from provoking further conflicts.<\/p>\n
The attack is believed by Balinese Hindus to have destroyed
\nthe harmony between Earth and humans. To restore the balance,
\nBalinese communities in Kuta, Legian and Seminyak will perform
\nthe Guru Piduka ritual to ask for forgiveness.<\/p>\n
This will be followed by the Gendu Piduka ritual, which is a
\npledge to work for a better life. The event will be closed with
\nthe Pecaruan Melabuh Gentuh Nyatur Desa ritual, which is meant to
\npurify the communities and to pray for the blessings of the
\npopulation. This is in accordance with the Hindu principle of Tri
\nHita Karana, or the balance and harmonious relationship between
\nhumans and the Creator, humans and humans, and humans and nature.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, hundreds of people continue to visit the blast site
\nto pay their respects to the dead and to pray for peace in Bali.
\nVisitors include students, members of youth associations,
\nreligious groups and also foreign tourists who have remained in
\nBali.<\/p>\n
Earlier in the day, Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar
\nChamsyah said the central government would donate Rp 1 billion to
\nhelp rebuild the devastated area.<\/p>\n
In Jakarta, Minister of Resettlement and Regional
\nInfrastructure Soenarno announced that the government had
\nallocated Rp 500 billion from the state budget to rebuild public
\nfacilities in Legian.<\/p>\n
"There were 50 residential houses damaged in the blast and
\neach house owner will receive Rp 5 million," Soenarno said before
\nattending an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the State Palace in
\nJakarta on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The money also will be used to repair roads and water pipes
\ndamaged in the blast.<\/p>\n
Soenarno said the repair work was expected to be completed
\nwithin three months.<\/p>\n
The government also will finance the reconstruction of 71
\nshops and other buildings damaged in the explosion.<\/p>",
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