DenPost reports that The Stones Hotel in Kuta, Bali is being cited for violating zoning and building codes by building a structure that is 6 stories high and failing to incorporate Balinese architectural touches and finishes.

Meanwhile, local residents are protesting the construction of a helipad located on the sixth floor of the building. Neighbors are concerned that the turbulence generated by helicopters using the helipad will create whirlwinds that can sweep roofing tiles off surrounding buildings.

A legislator from the Badung House of Rrepresentatives (DPRD-Badung), Wayan Puspa Negara, said: “A number of local citizens have complained by reporting the problem (helicopter pad) to several lawmakers. I hope that the related agencies of government, particularly the Dinas Cipta Karya (Regional Planning Agency), will have the courage to take corrective action against the hotel’s owner Usman Sapta. If needed, those sections of the hotel violating the rules should be demolished."

Puspa Negara said The Stones Hotel stands out in its location because surrounding building have Balinese ornamentation, while the new property has adopted a “European design” and apparently exceeds maximum height limitations of 15 meters above ground level.

He also questions if the building plans approved for the building permit (IMB) contained details of the helipad and included planning for the impact of such a facility on the hotel’s structure and surrounding areas.

Puspa Negara, who once was involved in a business renting helicopters, added, “I am sure that if a helicopter lands there, surrounding citizens will suffer from the wind turbulence caused by the aircrafts rotors.”
 

Eight endangered Bali starlings (Rothschild’s Mynah or Leucopsar rothschildi) were released at the Green School in Sibang Kaja, Badung on Monday, November 5, 2012.

As reported by Kompas.com, the bird release was performed before hundreds of delighted student who attend the world famous center of learning.

The birds released emanated from a captive breeding program at the school. The birds released had an average age of more than five months and are now able to independently forage for food. If the birds are undisturbed by poachers, it is hoped that the population released will multiply independently in the wild.

The Bali starlings’ natural environment is in the West Bali National Park, located in the western part of the island. This is the first time that the birds have been released outside their natural habitat.

Ketut Catur Marbawa, the head of the conservation section of the Nature Conservation Agency (BKSDA) said: “The original habitat (of the birds) is the West Bali National Park. We once released bird on Nusa Penida island because its environment mirrored the National Park. But, this is the first time we have released the birds in a new type of habitat.”

The Green School is located in a verdant jungle river setting, markedly different from the arid climate of West Bali.

The Begawan Foundation, who facilitated the Bali Starling release, has coordinated with the 7 villages or banjars located near the Green School to socialize the program and seek community support for the reintroduction of the birds into nature.

“We hope that the local people will join in by protecting the this natural asset. The Bali Starling belongs to the people of Bali and is the mascot of the island,” explained Catur.

Related Articles

[It’s for the Birds]

[Someday You’ll Fly Away]

[Less Rare is Well Done for Bali's Begawan Foundation]

[Bali Starling: Threatened with Extinction]

[Bali’s for the Birds]

Preparing to soon open its doors in the popular tourism area of Jimbaran Bar is the 118-room Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran.

Set to begin accepting guests in December 2012 in time for the busy holiday season at the end of that month, Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran will juxtapose traditional Jimbaran heritage against a contemporary creative space surrounded by serene and refreshing elements of water featuring 75 guestrooms, 35 suites, 4 penthouses and 4 villas equipped with a Lagoon sundeck. The décor reflects a contemporary approach to Balinese from the modern Batik motives, to the artworks that completes the room and finished with the finest marbles.

“We are extremely excited and can’t wait to unveil the resort’s elevated experience to our first’s guest. Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran is destined to be more than just a resort, we wanted to let our guests leave with a new discovery experience of Bali” said Simon Dornan, General Manager of Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran.

Special Opening Offer

Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran invites travelers to explore a new perspective with its Discovery Offer. Those who book ‘Discovery Offer’ package before June 30, 2013 on will enjoy a privilege room rate starting from USD 219++ (subject to 21% service charge and government tax).

Discovery Offer, special introductory package includes:

• One-way airport transfer
• Daily breakfast for 2 persons
• Daily resort credit of USD 25
• Double Starpoints™

Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran also features a signature 1,300 square-meter uniquely designed saltwater Lagoon pool that is accessible from ground floor guestrooms; and Serenity – a space of rejuvenation, with three signature spa treatment rooms, a fitness centre and yoga studio. Children will be engaged with an array of activities and programs with the Penguins Kids Club, equipped with the latest gadgets and completed with a dedicated outdoor children’s pool.

Emphasis on Delicious Cuisine

Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran will also introduce a gastronomic journey to the Island of the Gods offering discerning travelers four dining venues in a three-storey dining and entertainment complex:

• The signature all-day dining restaurant, Bamboo Chic will feature Pan-Asian cuisine fused with recently discovered Balinese Cuisine
• Smoqee Lounge & Sky Bar - an enchanting spot for cocktails and live music over sunset
• Latitude 8 - the resort’s lobby lounge overlooking the lagoon offering choreographed cocktails, light snacks and evening tapas
• WALA - an indulgence of hand crafted gelato or an Illy coffee.

Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran also promised to offer the signature Le Méridien arrival experience, with signature-designed furniture, reflecting ponds and an inspirational artwork designed by Michael Bogaard reflecting “My Private Universe 2010.” In addition, guest of Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran will also be welcomed at Kendra Art Gallery’s exclusive exhibit space.

The resort’s builders are also promising a Le Méridien Hub Experience, which re-interprets the traditional lobby into a social gathering place for creative people to converse, debate, and exchange. Le Méridien Hub offers both guests and locals a creative atmosphere where contemporary, curated artwork sets the environment.

[Le Méridien Bali Jimbaran] 

 

“Indonesia Spirit” – a weekend festival celebrating dance, yoga, active meditation, sound healing and live music will the held at The Yoga Barn in Ubud, Bali December 7-9, 2012.

The Indonesian Ministry of Creative Economy, BaliSpirit Festival and The Yoga Barn jointly sponsor the event

Sapta Nirwandar, Deputy Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy, said the festival will help attract tourist visitors to Bali while building awareness and respect for local culture.

The Indonesia Spirit Event will continue the Yoga Barn’s program of popular classes and seminars led by world-renowned presenters such as Anya Phelan (Nia Dance); Theva Indrasenan (Estatic Dance); Dr. Diane Butler Ph.D (21 Moments of Stillness); together with distinguished Indonesian presenters: Pak Suprapto Suryodharmo from Solo, Central Java (Joged Amerta); Yayasan Krysata Guna (Gamelan) and Bali's own Ratu Bagus (Laughter & Shaking).

“Ubud is a beacon for conscious travelers nationally and the world over,” said I Made Gunarta, Co-founder of The Yoga Barn and the BaliSpirit Group, “This is an amazing opportunity to create an international community gathering that is focused on promoting Indonesia.”

According to Gunarta, the event expects to draw 300 guests to Ubud. A portion of the proceeds from the mini-Festival will go to the Ayo! Kita Bicara HIV/AIDS outreach program.

Created by the founders of the BaliSpirit Festival, Ayo! is a school initiative that improves awareness and education among kids regarding the growing threat of HIV/AIDS in Bali. The program has already positively impacted thousands of Balinese in less than 3 years, mostly through educational programs in local schools and record-breaking community concerts.

The opening ceremony of Indonesia Spirit which will feature the screening of the documentary film, “Bali: Life is an Offering" on Friday December 7, 2012, together with a special Gamelan Masters Tribute in collaboration Gamelan Salukat, in collaboration with Kryasta Guna Foundation.

For more information [Email]  

[Website for Bali Spirit] 

Bali’s governor Made Mangku Pastika has volunteered Bali’s readiness to serve as the host location for the National Sport Festival (Pesta Olah Raga National – PON) in 2016.

According to the National News Agency Antara, the Governor has stepped forward, saying that if West Java is unable or unprepared to fulfill the role as host for PON 2016, Bali must have the fortitude to fill that role. Pastika told the press that Bali has the manpower, the infrastructure and supporting facilities to successfully host the games.

The Governor made his comments at a final meeting of the Bali contingent just returned from the PON 2012 held in Riau.

Pastika said Bali was fortunate in hot having to expend funds to build athlete housing for the 2016 games because of the large number of starred and non-starred hotels already in place on the island are sufficient to accommodate participants, officials and accompanying families.

Unlike Riau where some athletes had to travel as many as eight hours to arrive at a sport venues, the distances between the various regencies in Bali are not that great with the most distant location only three hours away.

Governor Pastika said that many athletes in Indonesia were urging Bali to step into the role of host for PON-2016, motivated to a great extent by the natural beauty of Bali and the island’s strategic central location within Indonesia.

Pastika said he was confident that if PON-2106 is held in Bali would provide great economic benefit to the lower economic classes on the island, while also helping to promote Bali to Indonesia and the world.

The province of Bali ranked 9th among all provinces in terms of medals won at the PON-2012 just completed in Riau. To see Bali’s share of the medals increase in the future, the Governor ask that full attention be paid starting from now on developing participants for the 2016 games.

Bali’s first integrated residential estate, AYANA Residences, has been short-listed for Best Condo Development (Indonesia) at the South-East Asia Property Awards 2012.

The official notification from the judging panel stated: “We congratulate you on this achievement. After a long and comprehensive judging procedure, your development has been selected as one of the very finest in the region. This means that your development will receive either ‘Highly Commended’ recognition or it will be the ‘Winner’ of Best Condo Development (Indonesia).”

The final results will be announced November 21 at a Gala Dinner in Singapore. The event will be telecast live by Channel News Asia with celebrity presenter Otelli Edwards leading the evening.

The annual awards celebrate the best of the best in the region’s luxury residential property sector, encompassing construction, architecture, interior design, development, and property management services. The judging panel is supervised by BDO Advisory Ltd and consists of 12 independent industry leaders based throughout the region.

“We are delighted to be ranked amongst the most esteemed real estate leaders in our region, and to have this vote of industry confidence in the developer, management team and quality of design,” said Mariusz Mierzejewski, Director of Sales & Marketing for AYANA Residences. “We are honored to be short-listed as a ‘Winner’ of Best Condo Development in Indonesia, which reflects the hard work and commitment to excellence from our whole team, from the designers and developer through to the engineers and project manager. We eagerly anticipate the final results on 21 November.”

AYANA Residences is the first integrated residential community in Bali. It will consist of a limited number of luxury apartments adjacent to AYANA Resort and Spa, on the largest oceanfront land bank remaining in South Bali. It is part of a 77-hectare property just 10 kilometers from the airport. Construction is progressing on schedule with the first phase of the development set for release in mid-2014.

The low-density design offers the largest living space of any luxury residences in Bali. The units include 3-bedroom Penthouse Suites with sweeping ocean views, private rooftop swimming pools and entertainment areas, as well as 2-bedroom suites and 1-bedroom suites. In addition to the Top Floor Penthouses, there are also Ground Floor Penthouses with private swimming pools.

The architect, Bill Reed from the prestigious WATG, landscape architect Dennis Selinger from St Legere Design International, and interior designer Carl Almeida from P49 Design have all been separately involved over the past 16 years in AYANA Resort and Spa. Their commission for AYANA Residences was to maintain the same standard of quality, warmth and Balinese philosophy as the resort, but to adapt this to a modern residential estate that reflects the lifestyle, sanctuary and harmony of a second home.

Meliá Bali has once again qualified for EarthCheck Platinum certification in acknowledgement of that Nusa Dua property’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

Meliá Bali first earned its EarthCheck Platinum status in 2011.
The most recent EarthCheck Platinum plaque was presented by Mike Duggan EC3 Global’s General Manage for Sustainability to Magdalena Martorell, Hotel Manager of Melia Bali on November 7th, 2012.

“We believe the hospitality industry in Bali is highly dependent on the island’s unspoiled environment and the culture of its people,” says Jim Boyles, General Manager of Meliá Bali. “Visitors come especially to enjoy Bali’s unique cultural heritage. A better living standard and quality of life for the Balinese people will ensure the future of Bali’s hospitality industry."

Meliá Bali is committed to continually improving its award-winning performance in environmental and social sustainability and annual benchmarking to enhance the culture of its people and at the same time to preserve the environment.”

EarthCheck is a leading global benchmarking and certification program for sustainable travel and tourism. It reviews and assesses the performance of a hotel in eight different areas - from the implementation of a sustainable development strategy, water and energy consumption, waste management, paper consumption, the use of pesticides and the use of cleaning and hygiene products as well as the hotels commitment to the local community.

“Platinum Certification is not a green tick that can be purchased or applied for,” Jim Boyles explains. “It must be earned over a decade of verifiable commitment to the highest possible standards of operational practices. The resort has recognized a maturing of the science behind climate change and environmental sustainability, and has demonstrated its belief that the planet deserves more than half measures.”

Changing regulatory environments, rapidly evolving markets and complex risk implications require organizations to access specialized tools and expertise. By taking a science-based approach, Meliá Bali through the EarthCheck program has increased efficiencies, maximized guest experience and taken steps to minimize its environmental footprint.

Stewart Moore, CEO of EC3 Global, congratulated Meliá on its commitment to sustainability and the group’s achievements.

"For over a decade, we have worked with Meliá Bali to help them to address the twin challenges of climate change and reducing their environmental footprint. Meliá Bali is one of EarthCheck’s standout sustainability heroes in the Asian region and we are amazed every day by the innovative solutions our clients are achieving,” said Moore.

[Book a Stay at Meliá Bali]

Diwali – also known as Devali or Deepavali – is the Hindu “Festival of Lights” celebrated in the thirteenth lunar day of Krishna Paksah.

A five-day-long festival, Diwali is an official holiday in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Mauritius, Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago, Surname, Malaysia, Singapore and Fiji.

Officially celebrated on Tuesday, November 13, 2012, this important holiday marks the triumph of good over evil with devotees wearing new clothes and sharing food with family and friend as part of the celebration.

In Bali this year's Diwali celebration will be celebrated via a special “Bollywood Night” organized by the Bali & India Friendship Association (BIFA) at Jalan Pengembak No. 44 in Sanur on November 17, 2012.

The festivities get underway at 6:00 pm with music provided by an Indian DJ, an Indian Live Band, Kids Dance, and Stage Show & Drama. Comedy Show, Cultural dances, a big Bollywood Production number, musical drama, a mad act competition, games, luck draw, raffle prizes and a Mr. and Mrs. Diwali Dhmaka selection.

Tickets Prices

• Rp. 150.000 for adults (US$15.65)
• Rp. 75.000/with school or college ID (US$7.80)
• Rp. 50.000/child from 5yrs – 10yrs (US$5.20)
• Early bird adult tickets purchased before November 15, 2012 are available for Rp. 125,000 (US$13).

The evening is supported by the Consulate General of India-Bali, Bali-India Foundation and the PKPMI-Malaysian Indian Association.

Diwali Dhamaka III Celebration in Bali
“Bollywood Night”

Saturday, November 17, 2012 starting at 6:00 pm
Jalan Pengembak No. 44
Sanur, Bali, Indonesia

For tickets and more information call:

• Mrs. Neeta : +62-(0)81 558 027 770
• Mr. Ajay : +62-(0)81 337 961 730
• Mr. Ramesh : +62-(0)81 558 848 875
• Mr. Kamal : +62-(0)81 557 667 22
• Mr. Deepak : +62-(0)85 237 008 163
• Mrs. Vani : +62-(0)87 861 378 462

The Bali Chapter of the Indonesian Association of Tourism (GIPI-Bali) believe that the island has more than enough hotel rooms and, for that reason, needs no new hotel projects.

GIPI-Bali chairman, Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya told Bisnis Bali, “What we must do in increase the selling price of a room, not add more rooms by building new hotels.

Wijaya said his view is in keeping with projections made by property consultants Knight Frank that by 2014 Bali will have a total of 10,466 rooms, including 60 projects now under construction in Bali. The GIPI chairman explained that by selling rooms at a higher price the tax revenues from the Hotel and Restaurant tax would increase, enhancing the tax collected by the each region.

Wijaya said consideration must be given to stop granting permits for new hotels, especially in areas that are already filled with hotels and the surrounding natural environment is under strain.

Wijaya, who is also a hotel owner, bemoaned that the excessive supply of hotel rooms in Bali causes many hotels to have very occupancy levels during low season. This, in turn, results in an unhealthy price war among hotels fighting for business.

Meanwhile, the executive director of the Bali Hotels Association (BHA), Djinaldi Gosana, discounted the grim projections contained in the Knight Frank report, saying that the coming drop in prices need not necessarily become a reality.

Related Article

[Oversupply to the Fore in Bali Villas]

One of the greatest collaborations of the winemaking world occurred when the legendary Rothschild clan joined enological forces with the Napa Valley, California family of Robert Mondavi.

d Baron Philippe de Rothschild assumed control of the Château Mouton Rothschild at the tender age of 20. Acknowledge among wine experts as an innovator and visionary, Philippe introduced Château bottling, wine labels commissioned to great artists and the bold partnering of Old World and New World winemaking by forming a partnership with Robert Mondavi in 1979, giving birth to one of today’s most respected wines – Opus One.

Unfortunately, death claimed Philipe in 1980, shortly after his collaboration with Mondavi was formed, to be replaced by his daughter Baroness Philippine de Rothschild who left a promising stage career to turn her full attentions to furthering the development of Opus One.

Until his death in 2008 and through the following years, Robert Mondavi’s name still remains inseparable from a reputation for excellence in winemaking, a reputation earned in over six decades of dedication to his craft.

Mondavi’s dedication to wine was, in fact, a dedication to life well lived with his winery in Napa Valley serving as the center for the enjoyment of fine cuisine, good music, dance and, of course, exquisite wines.

Prior to his death, Mondavi’s commitment to  joie de vivre – so admirably reflected in his Opus One Range of wines, saw Mondavi honored by the French government with the Legion d’Honneur for his incomparable work in advancing winemaking and cooperation between the French and American people.

Elegant Start for Bali’s Newest Resort

To celebrate the opening of The Mulia, Mulia Resort & Villas, Nusa Dua and herald its dawning commitment to excellence in all things, the legendary wines of Opus One will be paired with a six-course degustation menu on Thursday, December 6, 2012

The evening commences at 7:00 pm with a pre-dinner gathering over canapés and Tattinger Champagne. Dinner commences after Champagne with six-carefully prepared courses paired with Opus Wine vintages form 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and the just-released 2009 bottling.

The evening of fine food and wine will be made all the more amicable by the attendance of Opus One winemaker Michael Silacci and winery vice-president Roger Asleson.

For more information or to reserve a place at this limited-seating event call ++62-(0)361-301 7777 or [Email] 

NusaBali and DenPost  both carry coverage of an incident at a roadside police checkpoint in Tabanan, West Bali on Thursday, November 11, 2012, that has left many scratching their heads in disbelief at the failure of traffic police to keep Bali's streets safe by enforcing even the most basic infractions of the traffic laws.

While police were conducting a morning vehicle and document check adjacent to the public field at Kediri, Tabanan, they called to a halt a motorcycle driven by a 14-year-old junior high school boy, I Gede Adi.
According to the press reports, Adi was found to be driving a motorcycle not registered in his name, without a valid driving license while not wearing a helmet.

Indonesian law provides that only drivers of 17-years-of-age or above can be issued driving licenses and that a helmet must always be worn when operating a motorcycle.

Displaying a level of immaturity far short of his 14 years, Gede implored the attending police not to enforce the law by confiscating the motorcycle, and citing him for driving without a license and a helmet. Employing tactics of argumentation more apropos to a boy half his age, the inconsolable Gede reportedly burst into tears and hysterically rolled on the ground for an extended period, refusing to stop until the police came round to his way of thinking.

Amused police, and more than a few passing motorists who stop to witness the boy’s hissy fit, tried to console the child now in full tantrum.

In the end, the police succumbed to the boy’s childish remonstrations, and by so doing, shared with him a lack of good judgement and mature thinking. The police sent the boy on his way with nothing more than a verbal warning. Reiieved and overjoyed, Gede continued driving someone else’s motorcycles, sans helmet and license, hurrying to to keep his appointment at a local online gaming center.

Becuase of the police' failure to confiscate the motorcyle, one criminal act was superseded by another as the police officers allowed a child to continue his solo journey on a motorbike down a public thoroughfare 

In their defense, the police point out to their absolute right of discretion, exercising their regulatory option of either preventing crime (pencegahan) or educating  wrongdoers (pembinaan).

But, still, we can’t help wonder what moral lesson Gede Adi learned from being told by police that he was breaking three different laws and then being allowed to continue breaking those same laws for which he was just admonished, but this time with the official blessing of the police?

And for those who think we make too fine a point at the expense of a 14-year-old juvenile delinquent, we urge you to read the links provided below documenting the tragic cost in young lives incurred by the Bali police's refusal or inability to bring order to the island’s roadways and even prevent childen from operating motor vehicles.

Sadly, because of the police's failure to act, we caution you to watch this space for the next tragic episode in what promises to be the brief biography of Gede Ari.

Related Links

[Children as Roadkill]

[Kids Behind the Wheel]

[Spare the Hot Rod; Save the Child]

[Editorial: The Parent Trap]
 

The chief of The Education, Youth and Sports Service for the province of Bali, A.A. Ngurah Sujaya, reports that 49,385 Bali residents between the productive ages of 15-44 years are illiterate.

Among Bali residents older than 44 years the illiteracy total increases dramatically to 284,281.

The government, in an effort to reduce illiteracy, has introduced a number of programs including mandatory education for 9 years.

Sujaya told DenPost that Bali is facing the threat of a boom in the number of illiterate young people due to the large number of grade school dropouts.

In 2004 the total number of illiterate Indonesians nation-wide stood at 15.4 million. The government is targeting for that number to be reduced by 50% by 2015.

Suyasa’s comments were made in connection with the 47th anniversary Indonesian Literacy Day (HAI) on Thursday, November 8, 2012.

Diving and snorkeling operators in Bali’s northern region of Buleleng are becoming increasing agitated by what they claim is an unclear tax levied for uncertain reasons in the regency.

The topic of the mysterious  tax on water sports was tabled at discussions held on Thursday, November 8, 2012, at the Buleleng House of Representatives (DPRD-Buleleng) on formulating the region’s budget for 2013.

A water sports operator claim a “special” tax is costing between Rp. 10 million and Rp. 12 million (US$1,041 – US$1,250).

A member of Commission A of the DPRD-Buleleng, Dewa Cakra, said many transportation providers for diving and snorkeling customers are forced to pay “tax contributions” by PT PMA. Those paying the tax insist they are already paying tax contributions and complain, asking if a private company is legally able to levy a tax?

Each month, one marine tourism operator on the easternmost area of Buleleng are being asked to pay the “tax” of between Rp. 10 – 12 million. Said Cakra: “This is only one operator who has reported. Imagine if there are 10 operators, then the amount is Rp. 100 million per month and more than Rp. 1 billion over the course of a year.”

Catur said he did not know the legal basis for the mysterious tax. He also did not know if the money collected is being deposited into government coffers or being retained by a private company.

Cakra called on the government to clarify tax liabilities for marine operators.

Meanwhile, the head of the Revenue Agency for Buleleng (Kadispenda), Ida Bagus Puja Erawan, insisted that no private company has been authorized to collect tax on their behalf.

Erawan said that his office would urgently investigate the case to determine if someone from his office is involved in collecting the tax.
 

The Hindu Business Line reports that the GVK Group, an Indian company listed on that country’s stock exchange, has finalized an agreement for the operation, management and development of commercial facilities at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport.

The company headquartered in Hyderabad already operates the retail and commercial operations at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (CSIA) in Mumbai and the Bengaluru International Airport - two airports with a combined annual flow-through of passengers totaling 44 million. The GVK Group is also currently developing an airport in Yogyakarta, a special administrative district in Central Java, under the terms of a memorandum of understanding concluded with the government of Indonesia.

The GVK management agreement for Bali is with the State-owned airport authority Angkasa Pura and covers both the existing terminals and the new international terminal that will be open in the third quarter of 2013.

G.V.K. Reddy, Group Chairman of GVK commenting on the Bali appointment said: “This strengthens relationship with Indonesian Government. We are committed to bring our expertise and experience in transforming the Denpasar International Airport in Bali.

Adding: “Retail, F & B and duty free are significant components of passenger experience at any airport. We are excited to provide passengers in Bali a truly world-class shopping experience, across brands, product variety and price points.”

Related Article
 
[Keeping Trade Fair for the Balinese]

Bisnis.com reports that tourism leaders are beginning to see predictions of 9 million tourists to Indonesia in 2013 as overly optimistic and problematic to achieve in the light of the developing global economic situation.

The vice-chairman of the Jakarta chapter of the Indonesian Association of Travel Agents (ASITA), Rudiana, expressed the belief that tourist arrivals for Indonesia as a whole in 2013 may only increase slightly over the projected 8 million foreign tourists expected to by the end of December 2012.

“I see the possibility that it (tourism growth) will be stagnant, becoming 8.1 or 8.2 million visitors. It is indeed challenging to reach 9 million foreign tourists, although the opportunity continues to exist,” explained Rudiana.

He said new tactics and approaches were needed to allow Indonesia’s tourism industry to continue to grow in the midst of global financial uncertainty. One of the solutions, according to Rudiana, is to pursue growth available from Indonesian travelers, both for domestic and international trips.

Reza Novaldy, a Director of PT Tama Putera Wisata, said that Indonesian tourism operators have to be able to maximize the Asia-Pacific market in anticipation of contractions that will occur globally in 2013.

Novaldy cited five countries in the Asia Pacific with potential for growth in 2013 as Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Japan and China.

More than 250 London “black cabs” are plying the streets of London emblazoned with the slogan “Wonderful Indonesia.”

The branding campaign was launched by the Indonesian government to coincide with the World Travel Mart (WTM) held in London November 5-8, 2012.

Esthy Reko Astuty of the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and the Creative Economy said the London cab campaign was being used to strengthen the image of Indonesia in the English and international markets during the course of WTM.

WTM is one of the leading international travel shows credited with gathering nearly 46,000 travel industry professionals, government officials and members of the media in London.

Astuty revealed that Indonesia is targeting to welcome 200,000 English tourists in 2013.

This is the second time that Indonesia has used London taxicabs as an advertising media. In 2010, a “Remarkable Indonesia” exhibition at London’s landmark Harrods Department Store was promoted via promotional slogans displayed on the U.K. capital’s cabs.

 

Investor Daily and The Jakarta Globe reports that the Indonesian air carrier Garuda is preparing to spend US$2.2 billion on the purchased of 24 new aircraft slated for delivery in 2013.

Part of Garuda Indonesia’s “Quantum Leap Program,” the new aircraft includes four Boeing 777-300ERs, two Airbus 330-200s, ten Boeing 737-800NGs, seven Bombardier CRJ1000s and one Airbus 330-300.

“The price of a Boeing 777 is about US$150 million. An Airbus 330 is $100 million, a Boeing 737 is $50 million and a Bombardier is between $20 million and $25 million,” said Garuda president director Emirsyah Satar in Jakarta.

The Boeing 777s and Airbus will be used to replace Garuda’s aging Boeing 747 aircraft on long-haul runs.

Emirsyah told the press that 

Garuda has a fleet of 95 airplanes that are serving 32 domestic and 18 international routes. 



Garuda also has an additional 24 planes on order for delivery before the end of 2013 that will bring the airline's fleet to 105.

Garuda’s ambitious plans target 194 planes to be part of their fleet by 2015 flying an estimated 20 million passengers every year.

Beritadewata.com reports that Indonesian campaigner for a pluralistic society Anand Krishna has vowed to mortally resist efforts to execute an Indonesian court order for him to begin serving a 2.5-year prison sentence.

Dr. Sayoga, a spokesman for the Community of Supporters of Anand Krishna (KPAA), confirmed that am arrest letter sent from the South Jakarta District Court to Krishna’s Jakarta address was refused and remained unread.

Krishna has confirmed that he will resist all official efforts to bring him to prison, condemning the Supreme Court decision that overturned his earlier absolute acquittal as legally defective, injurious to the principle of justice before the law, an attempt to deny him his constitutional rights and a basic violation of his human rights.

Sayoga told the press: “The highest expression of respect and esteem for law is when a person stands up to oppose an unjust law and is prepared to suffer the consequences in order that the public can be made aware of a continuing injustice.”

Kirshna’s spokesman confirmed that the champion of Indonesian pluralism will remain in isolation in Bali, continuing to resist what he and his followers see as a fundamental injustice. Separately, Krishna, in September, confirmed that he will not attempt to flee the law, challenging police authorities to come fetch his body if they insist on punishing him for a crime he never committed.

The High Court for the South Jakarta Court led by respected jurist Albertina Ho had earlier unconditionally freed Anand Krishna on all charges and restored his civil rights, ruling he was “not guilty” of the criminal charges made against him.

The KPAA have made available a public examination of the Anand Krishna case carried out in Yogyakarta and Denpasar in October by a group of high-reanking legal authorities. The panel reviewing the case included professor emeritus of criminal law from Diponegoro University Professor Dr. Nyoman Serikat Putrajaya SH MH; professor emeritus of criminal law from Gajah Mada University Professor Doctor Edward Omar Sharif Hiarej SH Mhum; the Yogyakarta chairman of the Indonesian Advocate Association (PERADI) Nur Ismanto SH MH; a retired judge from the Indonesian Constitutional Court (2003-2008) Dr. I Dewa Gede Palgun SH MH; an expert on criminal law from Bali’s Udayana University; Dr. IB Surya Jaya SH MH; and Human right experts and investigator Johny N. Simandjuntak.

The experts universally concluded that the judicial review and reversal of Anand Krishna’s innocent verdict by the Supreme Court was in violation of the Indonesian Constitution and offended Krishna's human rights.

The review committee determined that Krishna had been denied a certainty of law, equal treatment before the law and had fallen victim to an unprofessional miscarriage of justice by Supreme Court justices Zaharuddin Utama, Achmad Yamanie and Sofyan Sitompul.

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A number of hotels in Nusa Dua are being accused of expropriating their beachfronts, turning these areas into private beaches off-limits to non-hotel guests.

The Bali Post highlights the problem, reporting that people straying onto some beach fronts at Nusa Dua are turned back by security personnel who warn that only hotel guests are allowed access to the beach front. And while some beach visitors protest, correctly insisting that all beaches are open to public access in Bali, the security guards remain steadfast in barring their passage.

Protest from local citizens have prompted the chairman of the Bali chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI). IGN Rai Surya Wijaya to issue a statement, saying: “The beach belongs to the public and cannot be closed or controlled by anyone. What’s more, there is the impression that several hotels who are subdividing the beachfront, something they cannot do. The beach is for the enjoyment of the public at all times. The public can visit any beach at any time.”

Surya Wijaya said that while many hotel optimize their use of the beach panorama afforded by their location and place lounge chairs up and down the beach that give the mistaken impression of exclusive control and ownership of the beach. While in reality the beach belongs the undisputable right of all people in Bali to enjoy.

The PHRI-Bali chairman expressed the belief that hotels laying more than their rightful claim on their beachfront can, in fact, be encountered in many areas of Bali, not just in Nusa Dua.

Bali's offciial zoning law, RTRWP 2009, contains stipulations intended to safeguard the public right-of-way to all beaches by outlawing all permement structure being built within 100 meters of the high water mark. 

In addition to the requirement to conform to zoning rules and building regulations, all private and commercial building project sites in Bali’s southern regency of Badung are required by law to display signboards at their entrances containing the legal details of the project.

Ketut Martha, the head of the Badung Enforcement Agency (Katsatpol PP) said: “There are many problems associated with construction projects. I wish to emphasize that every project in Badung must post a sign board showing its permit number at the front of each construction site. This is needed not only as a means of socializing information to the public, but also to facilitate officials in ascertaining the legal status of each project.”

Despite these existing regulations, many construction sites in Bali in an advance state development do not post the required information.

The permit board must state to whom the building permit was issued, when the permit was issued, the permit's number and expected completion date.
At the actual construction site a complete file containing the actual permits and approved building plans should be available on on file for official review and inspection.

Martha told DenPost that the public is becoming increasingly sophisticated about the law and local regulations, with many reports coming into his office from local residents questioning the legal standing of numerous ongoing construction projects in the Badung regency.

 A 34-year-old Spanish hotelier Eloy Esteves Guitierrez, who once managed The Menjangan Resort in North Bali has heard Indonesian prosecutors demand a four-year prison sentence for narcotics violations.

Guitierrez was arrested in Room 108 of the Royal Segina Apartment on Jalan Madendradatta in West Denpasar on Friday, August 8, 2012 with 5 ecstasy pills weighing 1.74 grams on the premises.

He has been charged with a violation of the 2009 narcotics law with an offense carrying a maximum penalty of four years in prison and a fine of Rp. 800 million (US$83,000).

According to DenPost, the prosecutor also charged Guiterrez with an additional violation in connection with a quantity of marijuana police claim was also in his possession.

Also being tried at the Denpasar District court with Guiterrez is another Spaniard 44-year-old Daniel Munoz who was arrested at the same time and is also facing a four-year-prison sentence.

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