Rehabilitating Bali<\/p>\n
It is not too soon to start thinking seriously about how to
\nrehabilitate Bali after the horrific bombing of Oct. 12. Bali
\nbefore the bombing had been a vivid symbol of everything that is
\nattractive about Indonesia, its cultural creativity and open
\nattitude toward life.<\/p>\n
Given Bali's importance to the entire country, restoring its
\ngood image as soon as possible is a matter of the greatest
\nurgency. Leaving the reconstruction of the devastated areas of
\nKuta to the private sector would only keep the area scarred for a
\nrather long time, and indicate to the world that Indonesia's
\nsense of dynamism had been lost in the blast.<\/p>\n
Rehabilitating Bali post-Oct. 12 will require at least two
\ndistinct efforts. The first is restoring the ruined commercial
\nand entertainment areas of Kuta, including the homes of local
\nresidents that are hidden behind the shops.<\/p>\n
It certainly would be worthwhile for the government in Jakarta
\nto set up a Bali reconstruction fund on the magnitude of, say, Rp
\n100 billion. The leading state bank, Bank Mandiri, could
\nspearhead the establishment of such a fund. Credits on the
\nsoftest possible terms for entrepreneurs and the owners of homes
\nthat were destroyed by the blasts must be provided, without the
\nusual bureaucratic hassles. Architectural and engineering
\nassistance should also be provided where necessary. The aim
\nshould be to make post-Oct. 12 Kuta even more attractive than it
\nwas before the tragedy.<\/p>\n
A speedy restoration of the commercial and entertainment
\ncenter of Kuta would show the world the indestructible spirit of
\nthe Balinese people. Of no less importance -- and perhaps even
\nmore important -- are the efforts that must be undertaken to
\nrestore the joyous spirit of the Balinese people and their
\nattitude toward life.<\/p>\n
The Oct. 12 bombings injected a poisonous element into the
\nidyllic environment of the paradise island. Signs of suspicion
\nand even hatred toward adherents of other religions have emerged
\namong younger Balinese Hindus. Fortunately, so far, serious
\ncommunity conflicts have been averted. Measured steps should be
\ntaken toward healing the wounds that have been inflicted on the
\nBalinese, who justifiably pride themselves on being a harmonious
\ncommunity.<\/p>\n
It is within this context that we see the important role that
\nPresident Megawati Soekarnoputri has to play as the leader of the
\nnation. Since her own grandmother was Balinese (president
\nSukarno's mother was Balinese), President Megawati should make an
\neffort to visit Bali a number of times over the coming weeks and
\nmonths. Hopefully, through heart-to-heart dialogs with various
\ngroups in the Balinese community, she can persuade them not to
\nlet themselves become prisoners of the Oct. 12 tragedy.<\/p>\n
It will take some effort, however, to overcome the sense of
\ndefeatism that might affect certain sections of the Balinese
\ncommunity and to mobilize a fresh determination to restore the
\nharmonious fabric of Balinese society.<\/p>\n
By reconstructing the damaged areas of Kuta and restoring the
\nharmonious community spirit in Bali within a reasonably short
\nperiod of time, Indonesia would also prove to the world that the
\ninner dynamism of its political culture remains unbroken.<\/p>\n
India's first prime minister, the late Jawaharlal Nehru,
\nduring his first visit to Bali in 1951 was so enchanted to
\nencounter such a lively Hindu-influenced culture that he
\nexclaimed: \"This is the morning of the world.\" We owe it to the
\ninternational community, which has paid so much attention to this
\ncountry since the Oct. 12 tragedy, not to let the world down in
\nthis respect.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/rehabilitating-bali-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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