Bagus Sudibya has warned that one of the fundamental weaknesses in Bali's current course of development is the absence of a master zoning plan. The resulting laissez faire approach to development amidst the glamorous backdrop of international tourism has had the ironic effect of seeing Bali's reserve of agricultural lands steadily diminish as people sell their land to make way for hotels, strip malls, villas and other tourist developments.

The BTB Chairman, who also serves as the Chair of the Association of Indonesia Travel & Tour Agents (ASITA), called for better conservation of Bali's preciously limited resources of land, natural forests, and water to ensure that the island's culture is preserved and in order for its main industry of tourism to become truly sustainable.

Are Agriculture and Tourism at War with Each Other?

According to Sudibya, Bali’s culture is inextricably intertwined with the survival and prosperity of Bali's traditional agricultural society. Agriculture, and by extension the island's traditional culture, will not survive without a careful stewardship of Bali’s forests, water and land by the present generation.

Bemoaning the lack of proper official attention and concern for Bali's agricultural sector, Sudibya pointed to the example of Vietnam where the national government actively supports agriculture by encouraging production, providing umbrella protection to farmers in years of bad crops, and guaranteeing that agricultural produce sells at prices that sustain a reasonable living standard for farmers. The experience of Indonesian farmers represents the opposite end of the spectrum to the very positive role played by Vietnam's Government, explained Sudibya.

Supporting Sudibya’s arguments carried in the Indonesian-language Bali Post, is the opinion of community leader Agung Alit who suggested tourism has much to answer for in the current poor state of Bali's agriculture. Farmers, unable to meet the rapidly rising costs of fertilizers vis-à-vis the very low price paid for their produce, are also haunted by the always looming risk of a failed crop and terrifyinh prospecy of famine certain to follow. The community activist cited this situation as the underlying reasons explaiing why Balinese youth are no longer drawn to farming, often seeking to sell ancestral lands to the highest bidder.

Alit went on to point to the growing popularity of free trade regimes as yet another factor contributing to the ongoing marginalization of Bali's farmers.

Farewell, Pak Made

As reported on balidiscovery.com, [ Police Chief Pastika Moving to Jakarta?] it has now been officially confirmed that Irjen. Drs. Made Mangku Pastika will assume the top job in the National Police Squads Narcotic's Division on December 20, 2005.

Appointed to Chief of Police in April 2003, shortly after being named Asian Newsmaker of the Year by TIME Magazine for his universally-praised leadership of the international investigative team that cracked the October 12th bombing of two Bali nightspots, Pastika was promoted to Bali's Chief of Police post in late April 2003 and immediately thrust into handling complex security arrangements surrounding the trials of the more than 30 suspects accused of playing roles in the bombing.

During his more than 3.5 years at the top in Bali, Pastika has made improving general security, cracking down on all forms of organized gambling and battling the narcotics trade central themes of his law enforcement administration.

Affable and open to input and community cooperation in doing his job, Chief Pastika shunned many of the traditional VIP courtesies extended to his predecessors, abandoning personal police escorts and lavish facilities for his entourage when traveling around the island.

In a parting interview carried out by the Indonesian-language Bali Post, Chief Pastika called on the residents of Bali to work together to make sure the last paradise does not become the lost paradise. Acknowledging the inevitable onward march of "progress," the Chief, who was born in Buleleng, North Bali, urged that hotels and other developments not be completed at the cost of Bali's natural environment and should reflect Bali-Hindu values in their architectural designs.

In the same interview, Pastika left four tasks for his successor and the people of Bali. First, the crackdown on organized gambling must continue and the Balinese must be made aware of the long-term damage to society caused by allowing gambling to continue. Second, the Balinese people must strive to live more harmoniously, reducing the petty rivalries and arguments which have fomented warfare between local communities in the past. Third, Bali's natural environment must be protected and areas of the island dedicated to farming must be preserved. If tourists insist on staying in these "green" areas then accommodation should be made of wood and bamboo, allowing the main agricultural function of these areas to remain undisturbed. And, fourth, the people of Bali must avoid seeking to blame every problem of public order on "outsiders." If certain lucrative professions in Bali are gradually becoming dominated by non-Balinese, Chief Pastika urged more introspection by the local population who have been less than energetic in developing local skill pools.

Criminal and Intelligence Divisions Should be Combined

In a separate article in the Bali Post, Chief Pastika emphasized the central role played by the Police intelligence division in maintaining public order. Reflecting on his tenure in Bali, the General explained that one of the first changes he introduced when assuming the top law enforcement post in Bali was widening the capacities and roles played by intelligence officers. Over the past 3 years the number of officers assigned intelligence duties has increased from 65 to 120, making Bali intelligence division one of the nation's largest.

Chief Pastika said he will make recommendation to his successor and to the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta that the intelligence squad be consolidated with the criminal division in order to bring about an overall improvement in Bali's law enforcement.

Is Bali Safe?

Acknowledging that the war on terror is a long battle that must continue in the future, he saluted the efforts of the investigators of the first and second Bali bombings who have managed to throw terrorist networks into disarray. Since the formal announcement of the perpetrators of Bali Bomb II, 56 planned terrorist attacks have been uncovered and prevented and more than 200 terror suspects have been apprehended. "Now that the terrorist networks have been disabled, what remains is the capture of Noordin M. Top," explained Pastika, referring to the current hunt for the fugitive Malaysian mastermind of many of Indonesia's past terror attacks.

Chief Pastika underlined that the potential for future attacks does exists, demanding continued vigilance from local communities. In order to preserve public order over the coming Christmas and New Year periods, extra security is being deployed at churches and other public places with more than 6,000 officers deployed on active duty in Bali over the coming holydays.

Changes Ahead?

When approached by local reporters and asked on what changes Bali might expect from his successor - Brigadier General Soenarko Danu Ardanto, Pastika offered a small smile, explaining that while differences in "personal tastes" might exist between him and his successor, both men have a firm commitment to upholding the law. Explained Pastika: "A chief of police from Buleleng (North Bali) might like his food spicy hot mixed with sour tastes. The tastes of Yogyakarta (Central Java) tend to prefer sweetness. In the end, these are only differences in taste. I think police action against violators will remain the same."

In move to curb the widespread abuse of official identity cards the Indonesian Government is reportedly moving towards a Single Identification Number (SIN) system – a number that would be used in the issuance of all official identity cards, driver's license and passports.

The idea of a uniform approach to identification issuance is in response to the government's desire to curb terrorist activities and vigorous objections from certain elements of the community who protested when police recently made moves to fingerprint residents of Islamic pesantrens in Java.

The new system, when and if it is introduced, will circumvent such objections by being mandatory and requiring every member of the community to be fingerprinted and clearly and permanently identified under a SIN system.

As reported in the last installment of Bali by the Numbers, the post bombing foreign direct arrivals to Bali continued their southern slide, down -43.26% from arrivals recorded in November 2004, representing a somewhat worsening slump from the -36.83% decline month-to-month for October 2005, the month immediately following the latest October 1, 2005 attack.

But all is not doom and gloom when we compare Bali's foreign arrival performance to November 2002, a month with ironic parallels to our current circumstances in that it, too, was a November immediately following a Bali bombing attack.

Note the following:



• This November's declines was, on the whole, less severe than in 2002. November 2002 month-to-month arrival dropped -56.74% while arrivals to Bali in November 2005 dropped by a less burdensome -43.26%.

• All in all, Bali is still nearly 100% ahead of the game. Compare total foreign arrivals in post-bombing November 2005 to post-bombing November 2002 and you'll discover that Bali hosted 99.08% more visitors (62,705 versus 31,497) in the month following the latest attack.

• Australia is down, but much less so than was the case in 2002. In November 2002 Australian visitors plummeted -70.22%, a much steeper decline than the -54.81% decline in the current year. Again, despite the downturn, there were 130.68% more Australians in Bali in November 2005 (8,496)than in the same month in 2002.

• Japanese visitors warrant a closer look. Negative Japanese reaction to the latest terrorist bombing has created a steeper decline in business than occurred in 2002 (down -61.23% versus -41.13%). But, after the fallout, in aggregate terms, there are still 46.01% more Japanese tourists this November than was the case in November 2002.

• South Koreans followed a similar pattern. -49.44% fewer South Koreans came to Bali in November 2005 than in the same month in 2004. A slight improvement over the -56.75% decline in November 2002, this market has grown such over the past 3 years that there are now 91.60% more South Koreans on the island than there were 3 years before.

• Taiwan - The Taiwanese clearly did cut and run after the latest bombing , declining -62.29% in November 2005 versus the same month in 2004. Well far from ideal, South Korean turned in a better performance than the -77.02 drop recorded in the 2002 post-bombing November. And, the numbers don't lie – there’s +91.50% more Koreans in Bali in the current post-bombing period than was the case in 2002.



• Singapore - The latest bombing caused the Singaporean market to crash -44.12% in November against the same month in 2004. While this is a larger negative reaction than the relatively modest -16,57% decline in November 2002, there's no denying that were still 64.44% more Singaporean in Bali in November 2005 than in November 2002.

• Malaysia Similarly, Malaysian traffic was more resilient, dropping less in the current November (-37.47%) than was the case in November 2002 (-50.27%). But who's really counting? Cheap air fares and wide air access resulted in a whopping 732.21% more Malaysian being in Bali this time round for November than happened 3 years before.



Europeans and North Americans Taking Things in Stride?

Across the board, Europeans are showing less skittishness as regards travel to Bali than was the case three years ago.

• U.K. While the Brits stayed away in droves in 2002 (-80.08%), a much less dramatic decline of only -11.76% occurred this time round. Proving that less is indeed more, there were 185.05% more U.K. citizens in Bali this November than was the case 3 tears before.

• Germany - The Germans declined -24.37% this November as compared to one year before. All in all, a much better performance than 2002 when the German market dropped -56.40%. In the end, 81.89% more Germans were in Bali this November around than 3 years before.

• The French Market Grows - Taking a contrarian's path, the French market grew 9.9% in November from one year before. Moreover, there were 186.18% more French passport holders in Bali this November (3,065) than recorded 3 years ago.

• Bless the Dutch - The Dutch market also grew 1.59% in November 2005 with 71.25% more Dutch around than the same month 3 years ago.



Americans and Canadian Fighting Back

• U.S.A. U.S. passport holders decline a modest -22.99% this November, a stronger performance than the -35.30% decline in the November 3 years before. All in all, there were 76.08% more Americans in Bali than the case 3 years ago.

• Canada - Likewise, Canadians declined only 19.9% in November with 71.77% more Canadians on the island than 3 years ago following the first bomb.

More information: A Deepening Crisis

As reported in most Indonesian daily newspapers this week, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is clearly fed up with poor service and numerous reports of corrupt practice by the Nation's immigration corps. Putting immigration on official notice "to stop embarrassing Indonesia," Yudhoyono has issued orders to the Justice and Human Rights Ministry to immediately clean up the immigration department which forms a part of that Ministry's portfolio.

Speaking in Kuala Lumpur, the President said: "I want an immediate clean up of immigration. Investigate and reform! Those discovered to be involved in criminal activities must be vigorously prosecuted. We cannot tolerate this. Nobody in our country is allowed (to make immigration) into a money making body."

To move forward with his plan for a general clean up of the Country's immigration agencies the President has ordered the National Head of Police, the Minister of Justice and Human Rights and the Minister of Manpower and Transmigration to get busy and reform immigration services, involving the Attorney General in the team if needed.

The President's considerable ire on the subject has seemingly been provoked by feedback he has received directly from foreign businessmen who have complained of illegal levies and roughshod treatment when passing through immigration.

Tirtha Uluwatu has launched luxury accommodation to complement the sheer opulence of what is arguably Bali's most breathtaking wedding venue at Tirtha Luhur Uluwatu.

The ultra-modern, floating wedding pavilion perched atop the Ungasan peninsula overlooking the Indian Ocean now can offer Tirtha Luhur Uluwatu – The Villa to accommodate key members of a wedding party. The Villas offer three separate luxury bedrooms each with en suite facilities, a superbly appointed guest lounge room, two tiered 20 meter infinity edged swimming pools, and an outdoor gazebo pavilion.

Impeccably decorated in a minimalist style, the pavilions present a myriad of new possibility for private wedding parties, corporate meetings, private functions and incentives.

Obviously very proud of the superb venue she help create, owner Ms. Yuka Koreyasu says: "We built this property with the most discerning and sophisticated clientele in mind. Tirtha Luhur is for those looking for a totally unique experience. Our extravagant facilities, services and luxury design are really second to none. Everything from Prada teak wood interior finishing, to Jim Thompson silk fabrics on wall panels and soft furnishings, velvet soft woven leather sofas, 300 thread Egyptian cotton sheets, imported Italian-made glass ware, signature bath amenities using rare and precious tuberose oil, personally monogrammed silver plates with guests initials, and Butler served breakfasts - all are supremely decadent."

The expansive property occupies 3,000 square meters of ocean frontage affording a 180-degree uninterrupted view of the Indian Ocean atop 100-meter high chalk cliffs.

Three superb dining locations are cleverly designed to permit individual or interconnecting use together with a private dining room capable of accommodating 50 guests, an outdoor terrace for 60 guests and a dining courtyard for up to 200 sit down or 300 cocktail style.

As the accompanying pictures demonstrate, Tirtha Uluwatu is about flawless attention to detain and style. No wonder it's quickly earning a world-wide reputation for celebrity and society weddings and functions.

More information: Weddings By Bali Discovery

Intense discussion and debate among key tourism players running late into the evening hours, characterized a two-day seminar held December 10-11, 2005, at the Conrad Resort & Spa and organized under the auspices of the United Nations Would Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The gathering, ostensibly organized to explore the positioning, re-positioning and image recovery for Bali tourism - also focused on the many systemic and structural problems currently confronting Bali in its long-standing efforts to create a world-class marketing authority for the island's tourism industry.

The congress of over 100 leading tourism practitioners from every sector of Bali's tourism industry was made possible via a grant from the Government of Andorra and was guided in its deliberations by an expert team comprised of Mr. Raúl Peralba, Positioning Expert, Partner-Director for Spain and Portugal of Trout & Partners - leading experts in the field of positioning; Mr. Michael Fabricius, UNWTO expert on tourism policy and destination management; Ms. Zoritsa Urosevic, UNWTO tsunami consultant with extensive working experience in Indonesia; and Ms. Rosamond Deming, Senior UNWTO Program Officer and an expert in project implementation.

Former Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mr. Gede Ardika, acted as moderator for the two day meeting.

Recommendations

Among the recommendations and action-steps formulated and agreed at the meeting:

• Bali Tourism Board's (BTB) objectives were re-stated to include 1) the development of concrete plans and action steps to market, promote and position Bali as a world leading tourism destination, both nationally and internationally; 2) stimulation of sustainable growth in tourism arrivals; 3) facilitation of the development and improvement of Bali's many tourism products, including attractions, facilities and services in line with the governing principles of sustainable tourism; 4) creation of awareness among the people of Bali regarding the importance, benefits and responsibilities associated with the business of sustainable tourism; 5) to moderate and stimulate an ongoing and lively exchange of communications and ideas between the private sector and government; 6) the maximization of positive exposure for Bali vis the effective operation of the BTB media center; 7) and to enhance the skills and competency of BTB's members through training and educational opportunities.

• Bali Tourism Board (BTB) Membership and Structure to be revamped. Specifically, the composition of the core stakeholders to be restructured to ensure a better reflection of key players and contributors to Bali's tourism.

• A new category of Associate Membership to be established to create a more inclusive and participatory approach to membership in BTB to encourage participation by the many facets of the community who are expressing an interest in BTB's vision and mission.

• The Managements Principles of BTB to include management by a Board of Directors drawn from core members who will, in turn, elect a Chairman to head the organization.

• Financial management of BTB to be transparent and made fully accountable with formal annual reports issued to all members.

• BTB to create benchmarking mechanisms to measure and monitor BTB's performance.

• A system of regular communications to be introduced to all members of BTB reporting the organization's activities.

• Financial reorganization of BTB to include an annual membership fee, yet to be determined.

• BTB to create opportunities for joint marketing programs in keeping with an overall marketing plan.

• BTB to identify and pursue commercial opportunities for the benefit of Bali tourism.

• BTB to seek financial support for tourism and BTB initiatives from the Government.

• BTB to seek out major corporate partnerships and sponsorships to support its programs.

Repositioning and Branding

• After a review of branding and positioning statements (images, logos and slogans) currently under consideration, it was determined that none manage to meet the minimum criteria of a successful branding or positioning campaign.

• Because of the absolute importance of proper positioning and branding, it was determined to be essential that BTB be very carefully in formulating a strategic positioning and branding plan utilizing best practice and pre-launch testing.

• While BTB undertake the steps to identify and secure funding for a re-launch of Bali's tourism, a simultaneous consumer-based survey is to be carried out to form the basis of the launch campaign. All sectors of the tourism industry will be asked to support this survey to ensure the widest range of perceptions be considered to determine and verify Bali's Unique Selling Proposition (USP).

Until recently, Bali might have been a minor footnote on the remarkable career of Bob Brown But in the last decade he established and built a stunning music school and research center in Payangan, Bali, up in the hills from Ubud, to which many hundreds of international students, teachers and performers came to participate in Brown's energized programs, led by top local musicians and dancers.

He died last week after a short illness, leaving his entire estate in the hands of the international organization he founded, The Center for World Music. Indeed, he coined the title "world music" which has become a firm part of the international concert, festival and record scene. The news is that The Center for World Music will continue his work in pan-music activities from the center in Payangan.

He was one of the last surviving students who studied with the legendary Canadian/American composer Colin McPhee (A House in Bali, Music in Bali, A Club of Small Men in books, and in music, the now well-known musical composition "Tabuh Tabuhan").

With him indeed has gone a library of stature, and a rare vision of the similarities and the differences of most of the world's musics.

During WWII he joined the Navy, and then attended Cornell University and UCLA, where he majored in music. He attracted grants from the Fulbright and Ford Foundations and undertook field research in India.

Subsequently he was attached to a spate of US universities, and especially at Wesleyan University and San Diego State University. The music of Indonesia and of India remained his major loves throughout his life.

He produced a number of key recordings of Indian classical music and Javanese and Balinese gamelan for the Nonesuch label (now re-issued) and worked on the Voyager Golden Record of Javanese Court Gamelan, with Carl Sagan, a record that is expected to survive in outer space for millions of years.

In Bali, he initiated in 2002 the annual Payangan Festival in Bali, which featured rare forms of Balinese music, dance and theater, but also music from Africa, India, The Middle East and Turkey, and Europe. He also formed Turkish marching bands which delighted the Balinese.

For 2006, he was planning a major festival featuring the music and dance of India. His gentle and persuasive personality enabled him to raise the strong enthusiasm of the Heads of his village, which had been musically dormant for a long time. Payangan had been a powerful cultural force in the 19th century.

His vision and energy and knowledge will be much missed in Bali, and elsewhere.

- James Murdoch, Sayan, Bali



James Murdoch, is an Australian writer based in Ubud. His latest books include

- " Ramli! The Heart of Sutra."

- "Peggy Glanville-Hicks: a Transposed Life"

- "Ubud is a Mood: The Unknown Ubud"

- And intorductions for the re-issuance of "A Club of Small Men" and "A House in Bali" by Colin McPhee.

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