Bali upset by link to 'Baligate'

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)