Bali governor praise people for not seeking revenge

I Wayan Juniartha The Jakarta Post Denpasar, Bali

Bali Governor I Dewa Made Beratha urged Balinese here on Monday not to drown themselves in the anguish and sorrow that had engulfed them since the Oct. 12 bombing in Legian, Kuta and praised their restraint in not seeking revenge.

"Yes, the tragedy has inflicted sorrow and pain upon all of us. But we should not let ourselves be carried away by those emotions. We must try to find a meaning behind this terrible tragedy. Perhaps Almighty God has sent us a warning through this tragedy," he said.

"We should be able to be more self-retrospective and alert. More importantly, we must rise and awake from this prolonged grief. We shall make this tragedy a starting point to reach for a better future."

The governor was addressing a crowd of around 2,000 people during an interfaith service held in conjunction with the ritual of the Purnama Kapat (full-moon on the fourth month in the Balinese calendar), one of the most sacred days in Balinese Hindu's belief system.

The ceremony was officiated by Hindu high priest Ida Pedanda Gde Putra Bajing of Sumerta village. It was also attended by Minister of Religious Affairs Said Agil Siraj al Munawar.

The participants, including several consuls and Westerners, performed a prayer before each of them lit a candle, which was later placed on a mound of sand in the center of the square.

"Through this ceremony, the Balinese people send the message of universal peace to the world. This message acknowledges no barrier, either of race, religion, or ethnicity," Dewa Beratha said.

The solemn ceremony was transformed into a very touching moment when the governor urged Balinese to rise from their grief. The soft-spoken Dewa Beratha, who according to a source close to him spent five nights without sleep after the tragedy, repeatedly asked his people to rise, wake up and to work hard for a brighter future.

His speech drew huge applause that grew even bigger when the governor, much beloved by the people of Bali, stood tall and stated in a very confident manner that the tourism industry, the economic backbone of the island, would bounce back quickly.

"Within months, Bali tourism industry will return to normal," he said.

Dewa Beratha also praised the spirit of brotherhood and cooperation shown by Balinese of various races, ethnic groups and religions as well as their Western counterparts during the days that followed the tragedy.

"The fact that the Balinese did not explode in an angry rampage, seeking revenge after the tragedy, truly made me proud. The fact had also made us a source of wonder among the international community," he said.

The ceremony was held on the Puputan Margarana square and right in front of the Bajra Sandhi monument, a memorial of the Balinese people's bravery in fighting a violent and evil power.