You Can Run, But Cannot Hide

(1/12/2008)

As reported on balidiscovery.com, [A Bloody Start to the New Year] two "freelance security guards" lost their lives in gang violence outside Dee Jay Music at dawn on New Year's day in a violent altercation with local gangs.

Shortly after the incident, police apprehended four suspected assailants in the attack and undertook a massive manhunt for five more suspects that concentrated search efforts in the Ubud area of Bali. Facing an "or else" surrender deadline from Bali's Chief of Police, Inspector General Paulus Purwoko, two of the five wanted men turned themselves into the police on Friday, January 11, 2008 leaving the remaining three suspects on the "most wanted" list of Bali's police force.

An elite force of 30 armed officers are actively seeking the remaining three suspects whose identities are known, determined to follow Chief Purowko's order and catch the remaining three men at all costs.

Tighter Control on Local Night Spots

Meanwhile, Kuta nightspots are beginning to feel the practical results of the January 1st incident which blemished Bali's desire to create reputation for safety and security. Local club owners are reporting reduced attendance at their venues while authorities begin to strictly enforce a 3:00 a.m. closing rule for local clubs.

Local authorities and nightspot operators have told BisnisBali that they are encountering problems in improving security standards for local nightspots given the lack of effective sanctions for clubs found to be violating the law and the difficulties of dealing with oftentimes intoxicated customers.