Govt criticized for exploiting guards<\/p>\n
The presence of Balinese traditional village guards or
\npecalang has captured the attention of most delegates attending
\nthe current UN meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali.<\/p>\n
Everything appeared to be running smoothly until Wednesday
\nmorning when hundreds of NGO members staged a big rally at the
\nresort complex, which apparently provoked dozens of pecalang to
\nthe brink of an ugly, violent clash with the demonstrators.<\/p>\n
Anak Agung Arya Wedakarna from the Bali Hindu Youth
\nAssociation blamed the Indonesian government for involving
\npecalang as the security team to safeguard this UN-sponsored
\nmeeting.<\/p>\n
\"It is part of the politicization process of Balinese
\ntraditional community members,\" charged Arya.<\/p>\n
Pecalang guards are closely linked to the traditional village
\nof Banjar and now operate throughout Bali.<\/p>\n
\"They do not belong to any political party or other
\ninstitutions, only Banjar,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Each pecalang member was directly elected by the entire
\nvillage community.<\/p>\n
According to Balinese traditional rules, pecalang are obliged
\nto protect and to defend their respective village regardless of
\nthe situation.<\/p>\n
\"We assume that there is a systematic effort to ruin the image
\nof pecalang. We, the Balinese people, never had any intention to
\ndisturb the meeting.\" -- JP<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/govt-criticized-for-exploiting-guards-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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