Mega rethinks Oct. 12 no-show
The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali
President Megawati Soekarnoputri, who earlier said she would not attend the memorial service for the first anniversary of the Oct. 12 Bali bombing tragedy, may be about to change her mind.
She reportedly is seeking advice from Hindu leaders about the religious and cultural aspects of attending such a commemoration, a source close to the President said on Saturday.
"I can assure you that the President really wants to go to the memorial service ... it's not what many people think. But her attendance should be after consultation with Balinese traditional leaders," said one of the President's advisors.
The President's reluctance to attend the commemoration has sparked international criticism, especially from Australia which lost almost 100 of its citizens in the terror blast. Many Indonesians also questioned the wisdom of such a decision not to attend as some 40 Indonesians were killed and dozens more injured.
Meanwhile, at least one religious writer Masrucitadewi, claimed that the Balinese, who are predominantly Hindu, had no tradition of commemorating the dead after the initial ceremony. "When a Hindu man or woman dies, his or her family will hold a cremation and accompanying ceremony to spiritually transport the soul of the dead to heaven," she said, while adding that would be the last commemmoration. In Javanese tradition, many people still hold a series of rituals following the death of a family member.
"But in Bali, it is almost forbidden to do that, even taboo," she stated.
In the case of the commemoration of the first anniversary of the Bali bombing, which will be held on Sunday, Oct. 12, there is still controversy whether the Balinese provincial government, as well as the central government in Jakarta, should officially hold a national ceremony in remembrance of the 202 who died.
A few days after the blasts, Bali Governor I Dewa Made Beratha consulted with religious leaders and prominent village leaders in Bali to discuss what kind of ritual should be held to eliminate the grief of the families of the victims and to eliminate the evil influence caused by the tragedy.
On Nov. 15 last year, the provincial government of Bali held an elaborate Pamarisudha Karipubaya, a grand ceremony to purify Bali. The ceremony, attended by thousands of people including relatives of the victims and survivors served also as a means to send the dead souls to eternity.
"That was the end of the rituals to honor and respect the victims of the bombing and to cleanse Bali from evil," Masrucitadewi assumed.
If the Balinese Hindus hold any religious ritual for the Bali bombing, it would essentially mean inviting the souls of the dead back, but we strongly believe they would already be resting in peace, she theorized.
Bali Governor I Dewa Made Beratha has reportedly said the Balinese authorities would not prepare a commemorative event for Oct. 12, next Sunday.
"For me, the governor is being quite tolerant. He did not prohibit other parties from holding such an event. But, it is wise for people outside Bali to try to understand the tradition of the Balinese Hindu religion and culture," she stated.
She added that the governor greatly respects Hindu tradition, but does not want to offend people who believe otherwise including the victims' families. "That is what he believes and it is understandable," she opined.
A number of events will be held in remembrance of the victims. Families and friends of the victims coming from Australia and other parts of the world will hold a special prayer at Garuda Wisnu Kencana cultural park in Jimbaran, 35 kilometers south of Denpasar and about 5 kilometers from Nusa Dua on the morning of Oct. 12.
Australian Prime Minister John Howard is scheduled to attend the prayer, a well as a number of high ranking officials from other countries such as New Zealand and the United States. The observances will continue at Kuta beach and at "Ground Zero" on Jl. Legian in Kuta later in the day.