Mega rethinks Oct. 12 no-show

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.