On development in Bali

This is in response to the letter by Lynna Van der Zee-Oehmke published in The Jakarta Post on April 19 titled Development in Bali.

While the heartwarming story about contact and interaction with a "real" Balinese village was pleasant, the comment that "it is partly their (the Balinese) religion that dictates to them to build bigger malls, more restaurants and boutiques in order to earn more money" is appalling. In fact, it is borderline insulting to the Balinese and is clearly indicative of the author's lack of understanding of Balinese culture or traditions.

Such culture and tradition existed in Bali for hundreds of years before malls, restaurants and boutiques were even thought of, and certainly well before Houtman's arrival in 1597. Why it is that so many foreigners seem to fall into the trap of defining Indonesia and its uniquely magnificent cultural heritage solely from Western points of view is beyond my comprehension.

The Balinese are not in any need of "protection" as the author infers. They are quite capable of taking good care of themselves. My Balinese wife was quite amused by the prospect of selling our land to build a McDonald's, a mall or a shop in order to pay for the cremation of a family member. The soul of the deceased would certainly and willingly wait as long as needed for cremation and purification if expediency would require the divesting of family land. While individual cremation ceremonies can be very expensive, most Balinese will wait for a community, or Banjar- organized cremation where expenses are shared and thus much less.

During the five or so years that may lapse between Banjar cremations, the bodies of the deceased are temporarily interred in the community cemetery. There is no peer pressure upon the Balinese to spend beyond their means or ability when it comes to any and all ceremonies.

In closing, the author of the letter I am addressing may well consider that she owes Michael Beer an apology. I highly doubt that his presence in Bali is anymore a reason for the "ugly development" in Bali then my own years of living, contributing to and honoring the Balinese way of life.

ROY THOMPSON

Ubud, Bali