Does Bali really need US$83 million statue?

Does Bali really need US$83 million statue?

DENPASAR (JP): No word of objection was spoken and no protests
were staged as government officials marked the beginning of
construction for the colossal Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue on the
Memedi hill top on June 8.

There was no heated polemic in the local newspapers, Bali Post
and Nusa, like one that raged five years ago.

Critics of the would-be world's tallest statue seemed to run
out of steam to voice the objections they have been raising since
the government released its plan to build the Rp 200 billion
(US$83 million) theme park.

The government came under attack last year for helping finance
the statue with state companies' funds that had been earmarked to
develop small business.

Some of the funds, accumulated from 1 percent to 2 percent of
state companies' profits, were channeled to the project without
the companies' approval.

Government and project officials have acknowledged that,
although debate on the project is moot, not everyone in the
tourist heaven of Bali is happy with the project.

They interpret the absence of open protest as a sign that
critics will eventually begin to accept their argument that Bali
needs to build the expensive "tourism landmark".

But the government and project officials are wrong.

"We still think the project is a misplaced priority and are
silent because we have voiced our objection. There is no use in
repeating it because the project is going ahead anyway," said Rio
Helmi, a long time Bali resident and environmental activist.

Critics, mostly educated Balinese, are concerned by the
project's impact on the environment, local culture and small
business.

They say Bali does not need an expensive statue but basic
public facilities such as more roads, water supply, public
transport, irrigation and waste treatment systems.

Helmi said the project would be a huge additional burden on
the environment of southern Bali.

"For example how they will get water for the lagoons and
gardens that cover a vast area on the discarded limestone
quarry?" he said.

With 30,000 hotel rooms and other tourist facilities, clean
water is becoming a serious problem in the rapidly developing
southern Bali. Much of the water is coming from central regencies
like Tabanan.

The project will draw migrants from other areas who will
worsen acute urban problems like traffic, waste management and
housing.

"Which glory does this monument signify? It's not a religious
symbol. And the colossal religious rite on the groundbreaking day
did not necessarily show Hindus' support," he said.

Another critic, Putu Suasta, a builder, described the statue
as a symbol of "new colonialism" by capitalists and those who had
personal ambitions.

He said the initiators of the project were "megalomania" who
did not understand Balinese culture, let alone their basic needs
that are yet to be fulfilled, such as electricity and clean
water.

The statute, he said, could offend Hindu values because it
will be higher than the nearest temples, Pura Besakih and
Uluwatu, about 15 kilometers away.

It is also higher than the average coconut tree, which -- like
any other building or structure -- is improper according to Hindu
beliefs, he said.

"Many people, including religious leaders, are opposed to the
project but they chose to keep silent otherwise they will be
branded anti-development -- an enigma that will bring unwanted
consequences," he said.

"A lot of personal interests are involved in this," he said.

There are fears that the statue and supporting business and
tourist facilities, which will be built in the second stage, will
worsen inter-regional economic disparity in Bali.

Badung regency, where the project is located, is a magnet for
locals wanting to work in Bali's best tourist spots.

"Soon less prosperous places like Karangasem, Buleleng and
Bangli may demand similar statues to increase their revenues,"
said Putut Maruta, a taxi driver. (pan)