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.