Emergency measure on Bali demanded
Moch. N. Kurniawan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The New Indonesian Alliance (PIB) called on the government to immediately take emergency measures to assist Bali on Tuesday to help the island recover from the tragic bomb attacks.
PIB chairman Sjahrir said the measures must include efforts to save 450,000 people from being laid-off, stop the imposition of value-added tax in Bali until the end of 2003, improve the poor quality of hospitals in Bali, and offer a 50 percent discount on airfares.
"Stop blaming each other. Bali, one of the most important regions in the country, needs substantial help, otherwise they will suffer from various problems triggered by the Bali carnage," he told reporters on Tuesday.
Sjahrir, a noted economic observer, said the government could allocate some of last year left-over budget, which reached around Rp 25 trillion, for emergency assistance for Bali.
The Bali bomb blast on Oct. 12, which killed nearly 200 people and injured hundreds of others, is expected to spark complex problems for the country.
Tourist arrivals in Bali are expected to decline next year due to the trauma of the bombing incident, thus reducing the income for local people.
Employment will also increase, which will consequently lead to a rise in crime.
A number of economists have projected economic growth in 2003 will decline to between 3 percent and 4 percent from over 4 percent.
However, the government was still optimistic that it would be able to reach 5 percent economic growth next year due to the resumption of a number of toll road, power plant and petrochemical plant projects.
In response to the Bali incident and the predicted economic downturn that would ensue, the Directorate General of Taxation has offered tax relief for income tax for October to December this year.
Putu Suasta, chairman of PIB Bali chapter, supported the call, saying the Balinese needed soft loans to carry out new business, prompt handling of the bodies of those killed in the attack and other aid.
"Bali's tourist assets of about Rp 30 billion (US$3 million) are facing uncertainty. If the central government doesn't properly handle the problem, there will be great disappointment for Bali," he said.
Aryono P., a doctor from Ciptomangunkusumo General Hospital in Jakarta, who also spoke at the press conference hailed the call, particularly in the view of medical treatment.
"Hospitals in Bali are not good enough to handle such an emergency situation. It could happen in other provinces also ," he said.