Bali upset by link to 'Baligate'

JAKARTA (JP): "Don't call it Baligate," was the message from distraught Bali Governor Dewa Beratha on the common term used for the Bank Bali scandal.

In a letter made available to the media on Thursday, Dewa said the euphemistic style being employed by many media referring to the scandal as "Baligate" was deleterious to the holiday resort island.

"The term Baligate creates an impression as if there was a major scandal going on in Bali which could damage the image of the island," the letter read.

"Therefore we call on the media and all parties concerned not to use the term Baligate."

High profile corruption and other government scandals are often affixed with the end term "gate" by the media in reference to the infamous Watergate scandal in the United States in the early 1970s, which led to the resignation of former president Richard Nixon.

Recent scandals around the world have continued to use the popular term, such as in Irangate and Monicagate. (mds)