Rehabilitating Bali
Rehabilitating Bali
It is not too soon to start thinking seriously about how to
rehabilitate Bali after the horrific bombing of Oct. 12. Bali
before the bombing had been a vivid symbol of everything that is
attractive about Indonesia, its cultural creativity and open
attitude toward life.
Given Bali's importance to the entire country, restoring its
good image as soon as possible is a matter of the greatest
urgency. Leaving the reconstruction of the devastated areas of
Kuta to the private sector would only keep the area scarred for a
rather long time, and indicate to the world that Indonesia's
sense of dynamism had been lost in the blast.
Rehabilitating Bali post-Oct. 12 will require at least two
distinct efforts. The first is restoring the ruined commercial
and entertainment areas of Kuta, including the homes of local
residents that are hidden behind the shops.
It certainly would be worthwhile for the government in Jakarta
to set up a Bali reconstruction fund on the magnitude of, say, Rp
100 billion. The leading state bank, Bank Mandiri, could
spearhead the establishment of such a fund. Credits on the
softest possible terms for entrepreneurs and the owners of homes
that were destroyed by the blasts must be provided, without the
usual bureaucratic hassles. Architectural and engineering
assistance should also be provided where necessary. The aim
should be to make post-Oct. 12 Kuta even more attractive than it
was before the tragedy.
A speedy restoration of the commercial and entertainment
center of Kuta would show the world the indestructible spirit of
the Balinese people. Of no less importance -- and perhaps even
more important -- are the efforts that must be undertaken to
restore the joyous spirit of the Balinese people and their
attitude toward life.
The Oct. 12 bombings injected a poisonous element into the
idyllic environment of the paradise island. Signs of suspicion
and even hatred toward adherents of other religions have emerged
among younger Balinese Hindus. Fortunately, so far, serious
community conflicts have been averted. Measured steps should be
taken toward healing the wounds that have been inflicted on the
Balinese, who justifiably pride themselves on being a harmonious
community.
It is within this context that we see the important role that
President Megawati Soekarnoputri has to play as the leader of the
nation. Since her own grandmother was Balinese (president
Sukarno's mother was Balinese), President Megawati should make an
effort to visit Bali a number of times over the coming weeks and
months. Hopefully, through heart-to-heart dialogs with various
groups in the Balinese community, she can persuade them not to
let themselves become prisoners of the Oct. 12 tragedy.
It will take some effort, however, to overcome the sense of
defeatism that might affect certain sections of the Balinese
community and to mobilize a fresh determination to restore the
harmonious fabric of Balinese society.
By reconstructing the damaged areas of Kuta and restoring the
harmonious community spirit in Bali within a reasonably short
period of time, Indonesia would also prove to the world that the
inner dynamism of its political culture remains unbroken.
India's first prime minister, the late Jawaharlal Nehru,
during his first visit to Bali in 1951 was so enchanted to
encounter such a lively Hindu-influenced culture that he
exclaimed: "This is the morning of the world." We owe it to the
international community, which has paid so much attention to this
country since the Oct. 12 tragedy, not to let the world down in
this respect.