Government opens old wound

DENPASAR, Bali: The dispute over the government's intention to make the Besakih Temple on Mount Gunung Agung a natural reserve has flared again.

After four years of relative quiet, the issue was raised again earlier this month by chief of the National Archeology Agency Hasan Muarif.

Local religious leaders and intellectuals who object to the plan have again showered the local government of the predominantly Hindu island with protests both directly and through local newspapers.

"Government intervention to make the pura (temple) a natural reserve will denigrate its sacredness," said Ida Bagus Rata, a prominent Balinese intellectual.

The government's assurance that the temple would be open as usual for the Hindus to use has failed to subdue the residents' objection.

"The sacredness of the temple should not be adulterated. We want the pura left as it is," said youth activist Wayan Sudirta, who organized various protests against the government plan four years ago.

Hindu religious leaders have planned to bring the issue to the National Hindu Council congress in Surakarta, Central Java next month. (22/pan)