Tragedy unites Bali's multiethnic population<\/p>\n
Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Denpasar, Bali<\/p>\n
Bali Governor I Dewa Made Beratha arrived at the bomb site in
\nKuta shortly after the bomb exploded at 11:15 p.m. last Saturday.
\nHe immediately took over command to coordinate the police and
\nlocal leaders to evacuate the victims of the tragic bombing. At 2
\na.m., the governor rushed to Sanglah General Hospital, where he
\nhelped coordinate efforts to deal with badly burned victims. He
\nsaid very little during the chaotic hours; he just worked and
\nworked, lending a calm confidence to the outnumbered hospital
\nstaff. He has been in and out of the hospital since Saturday
\nnight to encourage hospital staff and comfort the victims and
\nfamilies. He has barely slept since the fatal explosion. Looking
\ndesperately tired, the governor shared his feelings and future
\nplans for Bali with The Jakarta Post and Kompas daily.<\/p>\n
Question: How did you feel to see such an incident in Bali?<\/p>\n
Answer: I was ... terribly sad that this happened in a peaceful
\nland like Bali. But, it has already occurred. I give my deepest
\ncondolences to the victims and their families. I would really
\nappreciate it to have everybody on my side. It is really ... a
\nreally tragic event.<\/p>\n
Will the bombing tragedy instill religious enmity between
\nHindu followers and other religious beliefs, especially the
\nMuslim minority?<\/p>\n
If the perpetrators of the bombing had any intention to
\nprovoke Hindu and Muslim, or other faiths, conflict in Bali, they
\ncompletely failed. This tragedy has actually united all people in
\nBali, regardless of their nationality, ethnicity or religion. As
\nyou can see, all religious leaders and their followers have
\nworked closely together to offer what they can to help those
\naffected by the tragic incident. A series of religious ceremonies
\nfollowing the incident was participated in by all religious
\ncongregations.<\/p>\n
However, we have heard that some Balinese traditional security
\nguards (pecalang) had conducted a sweeping operation against
\nimmigrants, especially Muslims from Java and other islands in
\nIndonesia. What do you think about this?<\/p>\n
That was a bad rumor indeed. Only five hours after the
\nbombing, I invited all the leaders of bendesa adat (traditional
\ncustomary village) and noted leaders of the five major religions
\nin Bali to sit together to view the event as a real human
\ntragedy.<\/p>\n
We should not blame any people of certain religion or
\nethnicity. It is not the right time for us to argue about who is
\nresponsible for this barbaric bomb attack. The Indonesian police
\nand a team of international investigators have been doing their
\nwork comprehensively. Traditional and religious leaders have a
\nstrong responsibility to stand by their people -- to calm them
\ndown, to stand by them and to prevent them from doing harmful
\nthings that will exacerbate the situation.<\/p>\n
The bombing attack has certainly ruined the image of Bali as
\none of the safest and favorite tourist destinations in Indonesia.
\nWhat will you do to improve the shattered face of Bali?<\/p>\n
Yes, of course. The incident will adversely affect our tourism
\nand other businesses like textile and garments. It will also
\ncause huge unemployment problems since 30 percent of the
\nprovince's human resources are now working in direct tourism-
\nrelated businesses.<\/p>\n
We have already anticipated such a bleak situation. But, we
\nmust not just sit doing nothing. We have to join forces -- people
\nin the tourist industry are trying to contact their counterparts
\noverseas to repromote Bali.<\/p>\n
I have already sent e-mails to tourism authorities worldwide
\nto plead with them to rescind their travel bans against Bali and
\nIndonesia in general. The Japanese travel agencies have responded
\nfast, saying they could continue sending holidaymakers to Bali.
\nThat would be a relief. Last night (Thursday night), the Indian
\nambassador to Indonesia also confirmed that the Indian Cultural
\nFestival in Bali (opened on Friday night) would go on as
\nscheduled.<\/p>\n
What are your short- and long-term programs to rebuild Bali?<\/p>\n
Physically, it will take only a matter of months to renovate
\nthe destroyed buildings. We have received full support from the
\ncentral government to start a reconstruction project on the
\naffected site and its surrounding areas.<\/p>\n
But to regain its status as a safe and convenient tourist and
\nbusiness center will take a long, long time. The Balinese people
\nare still in shock; foreigners are suffering from trauma. But, I
\nam optimistic that if the investigation arrives at the right
\nconclusion really finds the perpetrators, people around the world
\ncould think that Indonesia is very serious in dealing with
\nbarbaric terrorism. I am sure holidaymakers will again consider
\nvisiting Bali again.<\/p>\n
As for the Balinese people, I also urge them to expand their
\nbusinesses outside the tourism industry, which is very vulnerable
\nto global events.<\/p>\n
In the post-bombing period, how will the local government
\nprotect the area from any other threats and possible danger?<\/p>\n
We are now enforcing tightened security checks in several
\nentries such as at the Ngurah Rai International Airport, Benoa
\nharbor in Sanur, Padang Bai harbor in Karang Asem (East Bali) and
\nGilimanuk in West Bali. Tourist centers like Kuta, Nusa Dua,
\nSanur and other public places will also be guarded both by
\ntraditional guards pecalang and the police.<\/p>\n
But, this will be separate from the operation to control the
\ninflux of non-Balinese.<\/p>",
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