Bali's giant statue project begins<\/p>\n
By Pandaya<\/p>\n
DENPASAR (JP): The construction of a 140-meter tall monument
\nworth Rp 200 billion (US$83 million) has begun on the holiday
\nisland of Bali, a bold move expected to boost tourism in the
\ncoming century.<\/p>\n
The Garuda Wisnu Kencana monument, being built on a 174-
\nhectare plot on top of Ungasan Lime hill, 12 kilometers south of
\nhere, has been dubbed the future \"landmark of Indonesian
\ntourism\".<\/p>\n
Its architect, Nyoman Nuarta, promised the monument would be
\nthis century's greatest that would be on a par with world wonders
\nlike Temple Borobudur, the Leaning Tower of Pisa and the Statue
\nof Liberty.<\/p>\n
\"It will be a blend of art, technology and business,\" he said
\nwhen introducing the gigantic project to a pack of journalists on
\nthe luxurious Quicksilver cruiser on Genoa Bay on Saturday.<\/p>\n
When the idea was made public in the early 1990s, the project
\nmet strong opposition from the Balinese. Local intellectuals and
\nentrepreneurs voiced concern over the impact it would have on
\nlocal culture and small-scale craftsmen.<\/p>\n
Amazed by the huge cost, critics said the monument was a
\nmisplaced priority in the government's development program.<\/p>\n
After the debate died down, the government and Nuarta went
\nahead with the plan.<\/p>\n
Although actual construction began some time ago, the
\ngroundbreaking ceremony was only held yesterday at the project
\nsite where hundreds of workers race against time to complete the
\nproject by the year 2000.<\/p>\n
Nuarta, well-known for his giant statues, has almost completed
\nthe 12-meter tall God Wisnu's head in his studio in Bandung. The
\nstatue will be shipped in segments to Bali.<\/p>\n
Present at the ceremony were Bali Governor Ida Bagus Oka,
\nMinister of Tourism, Post and Telecommunications Joop Ave,
\nMinister of Mines and Energy I.B. Sudjana and top local
\nofficials.<\/p>\n
The Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue depicts Wisnu, a Hindu god
\nthat safeguards the world, riding an eagle. It symbolizes
\npeople's support of development that aims at improving the
\nnation's welfare.<\/p>\n
The monument will be visible to visitors arriving at Ngurah
\nRai Airport and Genoa Port, Bali's gateways.<\/p>\n
As soon as the statue is completed, recreational and business
\nfacilities will be built in the immediate vicinity, and nearby
\nwill be lagoons, a shopping center and banks.<\/p>\n
Project officials estimate the project will break even in
\n2007.<\/p>\n
Joop Ave said the monument was a breakthrough in that so far
\ntourism development focused on building hotels and infrastructure
\nbut not on creating tourist attractions.<\/p>\n
\"The monument is expected to become one of Bali's main
\nattractions for at least one century,\" he said.<\/p>\n
As to funding, no project official would go into detail.<\/p>\n
Nuarta said that \"most\" of the money came from PT Garuda
\nAdhimatra which he controls. The rest is provided by state-owned
\nBali Tourism Development Center and donors.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/balis-giant-statue-project-begins-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}