Comments by Nyoman Rai Dharmadi, the Chief of the Provincial Enforcement Agency (Satol PP), provide additional insights into Bali’s inability to enforce laws regulating recreational kite flying and the resulting threat to civil aviation.
Quoted by Kompas.com, Dharmadi bemoaned that many members of the public in Bali openly ignore Provincial Regulation Number 9 of 2000 governing the various heights at which kites can be flown within a 54-kilometer radius of Bali’s Ngurah Rai Airport.
Speaking in the aftermath of the crash of a Bell 505 helicopter by Bali Helitour /Whitesky Aviation on Friday, 19 July 2024, was initially blamed on a kite flying violating long-standing restrictions and regulations.
Dharmadi said his officers enforcing kiteflying regulations often lack cooperation from the local Balinese. Villagers pout and protest when requested to remove their airborne creations from restricted airspace or other areas near high-voltage power lines. “We (Satpol PP officials) are often bullied by members of the public who ask if we don’t have better things to do than to disturb their kiteflying. These people refuse to accept that their activities can have fatal consequences,” he said.
Dharmadi says that as the head of Bali’s Satpol PP, he has repeatedly tried to socialize an understanding and respect for the 2010 regulation. In many instances, because those violating the rules are juveniles, there is little that officials can do in the form of enforcement. Moreover, many kite flyers will abandon their airborne kites by tying them to a tree during nighttime.
Dharmadi also admitted that kite flying is viewed by many as a part of Balinese culture. This adds to the reluctance of local officials to strictly enforce current rules and apply fines of up to Rp. 5 million and jail sentences of 3 months.
Related Links
Downed Heli’s Portend Bali Aviation Threat
02 July 2024 Kite Downs Helicopter in South Bali
19 July 2024 Bali Helitour Helicopter Crashes in Pecatu
Kites Near Bali’s Airport Threatens Safety
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