Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster singled out for ridicule an unnamed hotel manager in the State-owned Indonesian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) in Nusa Dua who failed to wear traditional Balinese dress on Thursday, 12 May 2022, while attending an official ceremony at The Westin Resort, Nusa Dia.
The Governor made his remarks in reference to his long-standing decree that tourism practitioners must wear complete Balinese dress every Thursday, Full Moon, Dark Moon, and the Anniversary of the Province of Bali. (Gubernatorial Decree Number 79 of 2018.)
Reports of the Governor’s tirade on Balinese dress were carried by, among others, RadarBali.com, NusaBali.com, and BaliTribune.com.
Commenting on his public rebuke, Koster said: “When I saw a hotel manager not wearing traditional Balinese dress, I immediately scolded him. I don’t want to see disorderly and undisciplined behavior in Bali. Everyone must honor Balinese culture. We need rules of conduct, good order, and discipline that truly respect the culture. This is necessary because we are a cultured nation.”
Koster said: “Don’t let tourism practitioners only focus on the pursuit of profit in Bali with no attention to cultural conservation. I’m sorry, but I will not allow this. So, if you want to conduct an enterprise in Bali, join the effort to build Balinese culture together, so the Island can grow strong and provide benefits to all. I think this is what must be created in Bali.”