Balinese ask for forgiveness

Balinese ask for forgiveness

Tiarma Siboro, The Jakarta Post, Kuta, Bali

Tears flowed as the Balinese asked for forgiveness and
understanding from last Saturday's bombing victims and their
families at a gathering held by heads of the traditional
communities of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak here on Wednesday.

Speaking through their tears, the Bendesa Adat, or community
heads, also expressed their deepest sympathy and condolences to
the victims and their families.

"Oh God ... how could this have happened to us? How?" I Made
Wandra, the Kuta community head, asked through his tears.

The audience, including foreign journalists, fell silent and
some were barley able to contain their own tears.

"Our nation's sense of humanity has been deeply shaken by this
uncivilized act of terrorism. We never imagined this kind of
tragedy would take place here because we have always felt safe in
Kuta, Bali.

"Many have said that Bali is a paradise island. However,
terrorists can also reach this safe place, meaning that anywhere
in the world at anytime a tragedy like this can happen. This
proves that no one can guarantee their safety," Wandra said.

The gathering was organized by three community heads -- I Made
Wandra of Kuta, I Wayan Widana of Legian and I Wayan Mara of
Seminyak -- to announce their plan to hold a series of
purification rituals in connection with the bombings.

The gathering, however, turned into an emotional event when
they asked all citizens, government officials and security
officers to strive toward purifying the country and to remain
consistent in creating justice, peace and unity. They also urged
the nation to refrain from provoking further conflicts.

The attack is believed by Balinese Hindus to have destroyed
the harmony between Earth and humans. To restore the balance,
Balinese communities in Kuta, Legian and Seminyak will perform
the Guru Piduka ritual to ask for forgiveness.

This will be followed by the Gendu Piduka ritual, which is a
pledge to work for a better life. The event will be closed with
the Pecaruan Melabuh Gentuh Nyatur Desa ritual, which is meant to
purify the communities and to pray for the blessings of the
population. This is in accordance with the Hindu principle of Tri
Hita Karana, or the balance and harmonious relationship between
humans and the Creator, humans and humans, and humans and nature.

Meanwhile, hundreds of people continue to visit the blast site
to pay their respects to the dead and to pray for peace in Bali.
Visitors include students, members of youth associations,
religious groups and also foreign tourists who have remained in
Bali.

Earlier in the day, Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar
Chamsyah said the central government would donate Rp 1 billion to
help rebuild the devastated area.

In Jakarta, Minister of Resettlement and Regional
Infrastructure Soenarno announced that the government had
allocated Rp 500 billion from the state budget to rebuild public
facilities in Legian.

"There were 50 residential houses damaged in the blast and
each house owner will receive Rp 5 million," Soenarno said before
attending an extraordinary Cabinet meeting at the State Palace in
Jakarta on Wednesday.

The money also will be used to repair roads and water pipes
damaged in the blast.

Soenarno said the repair work was expected to be completed
within three months.

The government also will finance the reconstruction of 71
shops and other buildings damaged in the explosion.