Mega rethinks Oct. 12 no-show<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who earlier said she would not
\nattend the memorial service for the first anniversary of the Oct.
\n12 Bali bombing tragedy, may be about to change her mind.<\/p>\n
She reportedly is seeking advice from Hindu leaders about the
\nreligious and cultural aspects of attending such a
\ncommemoration, a source close to the President said on Saturday.<\/p>\n
\"I can assure you that the President really wants to go to the
\nmemorial service ... it's not what many people think. But her
\nattendance should be after consultation with Balinese traditional
\nleaders,\" said one of the President's advisors.<\/p>\n
The President's reluctance to attend the commemoration has
\nsparked international criticism, especially from Australia which
\nlost almost 100 of its citizens in the terror blast. Many
\nIndonesians also questioned the wisdom of such a decision not to
\nattend as some 40 Indonesians were killed and dozens more
\ninjured.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, at least one religious writer Masrucitadewi,
\nclaimed that the Balinese, who are predominantly Hindu, had no
\ntradition of commemorating the dead after the initial ceremony.
\n\"When a Hindu man or woman dies, his or her family will hold a
\ncremation and accompanying ceremony to spiritually transport the
\nsoul of the dead to heaven,\" she said, while adding that would be
\nthe last commemmoration. In Javanese tradition, many people still
\nhold a series of rituals following the death of a family member.<\/p>\n
\"But in Bali, it is almost forbidden to do that, even taboo,\"
\nshe stated.<\/p>\n
In the case of the commemoration of the first anniversary of
\nthe Bali bombing, which will be held on Sunday, Oct. 12, there is
\nstill controversy whether the Balinese provincial government, as
\nwell as the central government in Jakarta, should officially hold
\na national ceremony in remembrance of the 202 who died.<\/p>\n
A few days after the blasts, Bali Governor I Dewa Made Beratha
\nconsulted with religious leaders and prominent village leaders in
\nBali to discuss what kind of ritual should be held to eliminate
\nthe grief of the families of the victims and to eliminate the
\nevil influence caused by the tragedy.<\/p>\n
On Nov. 15 last year, the provincial government of Bali held
\nan elaborate Pamarisudha Karipubaya, a grand ceremony to purify
\nBali. The ceremony, attended by thousands of people including
\nrelatives of the victims and survivors served also as a means to
\nsend the dead souls to eternity.<\/p>\n
\"That was the end of the rituals to honor and respect the
\nvictims of the bombing and to cleanse Bali from evil,\"
\nMasrucitadewi assumed.<\/p>\n
If the Balinese Hindus hold any religious ritual for the Bali
\nbombing, it would essentially mean inviting the souls of the dead
\nback, but we strongly believe they would already be resting in
\npeace, she theorized.<\/p>\n
Bali Governor I Dewa Made Beratha has reportedly said the
\nBalinese authorities would not prepare a commemorative event for
\nOct. 12, next Sunday.<\/p>\n
\"For me, the governor is being quite tolerant. He did not
\nprohibit other parties from holding such an event. But, it is
\nwise for people outside Bali to try to understand the tradition
\nof the Balinese Hindu religion and culture,\" she stated.<\/p>\n
She added that the governor greatly respects Hindu tradition,
\nbut does not want to offend people who believe otherwise
\nincluding the victims' families. \"That is what he believes and it
\nis understandable,\" she opined.<\/p>\n
A number of events will be held in remembrance of the victims.
\nFamilies and friends of the victims coming from Australia and
\nother parts of the world will hold a special prayer at Garuda
\nWisnu Kencana cultural park in Jimbaran, 35 kilometers south of
\nDenpasar and about 5 kilometers from Nusa Dua on the morning of
\nOct. 12.<\/p>\n
Australian Prime Minister John Howard is scheduled to attend
\nthe prayer, a well as a number of high ranking officials from
\nother countries such as New Zealand and the United States. The
\nobservances will continue at Kuta beach and at \"Ground Zero\" on
\nJl. Legian in Kuta later in the day.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mega-rethinks-oct-12-no-show-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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