Prima Medika Hospital in Denpasar has just taken a further step in providing adequate medical service to Bali residents especially those suffering for cancer. The hospital has just held a ritual ceremony marking completion of its new Cancer Center built in collaboration with John Hopkins Singapore. The ceremony for the new building located next to the existing hospital was led by the holy priest Ida Pedanda Gede Gde Putra Mas from Geria Tegal Asah, Sanur, and attended by the hospital executives.

Prima Medika’s PR executive Dr. Arya Suhartika explained that Prima Medika Cancer Center is managed by Bali Care Cancer Foundation (BCCF) and intended provide adequate medical service for those suffering for cancer, early detection for the presence of the disease which so fare believe to be terminal, counseling, and consultation. “We highly expect cooperation with other related institution in delivering an even better services”, said Arya.

BCCF is focusing itself in non-profit community services, whilst the commercial side is carried by Prima Medika Hospital managed by PT Surya Prima Cipta. Unfortunately Arya predicted that - through Cancer Center -  BCCF will only be able to serve about 80% of existing need. BCCF is available to help everybody who is suspected for cancer. “At the moment the we are still awaiting for the arrival of our radiotherapy equipment”, he continued.

Available services include anatomic laboratory and specialist hospitalization for internist, neural, thorax, surgery, cancer, and oncology.  Super specialists on duty include Prof. Dr. dr. I.B. Cakra Manuab, Dr. Sudiarsa, Sp. B. (Onc.), and Dr. Widiana Sp.B., Prof. Dr. dr. K. Bakta, Sp. Bd. (K). Pediatric Oncology Department will be led by dr. Aryawati, Sp. A., Gynecologic Cancer Department will be led by dr. Bayu Mahendra, Sp. OG., and Anatomic Pathology Department will be led by Dr. Herman, Sp. PA.

During an assembly meeting with the government, the house of representatives of Tabanan regency  paid attention to the presence of  private villas with legal conflict such as Villa Petali. Bad road condition was also taking attention, members questions effectiveness of the office for public works in maintenance and reconstruction of local infrastructure including public road.

During the meeting led by I Wayan Kawi, house members express their disappointment to weak and slow rule enforcement. Kawi specifically brought the suspension of Villa Petali case into attention. In response, related government official informed that the government staffs has completed necessary analysis which has then reported to the Regent. Whilst awaiting for completion of relevant regulation, they have taken necessary approach to resolve the core issue. It was explained that the core issue of Villa Petali case was conviction on intrusion to the holiness of the temple nearby. “We have put our work on the desk of our superior. Nothing we can do without his instruction. Beside, the actual action is the domain of justice instead of executive”, he continued.

With regard to alleviation on granted permit of the villa construction which is regulated under provincial regulation, the head of regency’s development board, Anom Antara admitted that the government has lost of control, which then promised to be properly evaluated. The head of regency’s office for culture and tourism explained that according to space zoning regulation, Jatiluwih were Villa Petali located was among the sites of world’s cultural heritage and monitored by related international body. Villa Petali was at status quo, which mean further construction is not allowed.

Furthermore Antara noticed significant increase in information inquiries about zoning allocation related to increasing investment interest in development of holiday properties. He confirmed that his office was already well prepared to supply related information, especially related to areas allocated for development of tourism facilities.

A house member Dewa Putu Gede specifically express his worries in increasing number private villas which construction alleviated zoning allocation, especially along the shoreline. He insisted the government for more consistent control and rule enforcement to ensure environmental sustainability by allowing constructions in allocated areas only.

Until quite recently Tabanan remain untouched by holiday developments. Now investors started to pay attention to its beautiful beaches. A massive development of private villas is now underway on Kelating beach, a quiet village in Kerambitan, Tabanan. Part of the complex is taking up the shoreline.

Whilst the government is currently suspending the construction, suspension may be revoked as soon as the developer completed the paperwork. The project has already been commenced up to building construction. Construction of its 35 private villas has been underway in the last eight months whilst required permit has not even issued, reflecting weak regulation enforcement by local government.  Lack of coordination is quite obvious. If the regency government does not have sufficient sight, head of the village should have well known of such a massive happening.

The mega project taking up hectares of beach front land is expected to fully complete in the next couple of years. The beach front most units are actually prone to abrasion. Local residents informed that land clearance has been started quietly back in 2006.

The government confirmed that they have never received application for construction permit of the project, as well as proposal on environmental impact analysis. They have never been aware that the construction has already started without any permits on hand.

Member of the regency’s house of representative I Gede Suadnya Dharma envisioned that many constructions in Tabanan started before the owners applies for required permits, resulting a lot of problems. Weak control allowed construction to commence before permits issued, leading to problems arising from later assessment concluding that the such permit could not be issued for certain reasons. “It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that permits and environmental impact analysis issued prior to construction commencement”, he insisted.

The south east coasts of the island shows similar problem. Private villa developments along the shoreline of Gianyar regency are sprouting out of control.

Residents in a number of village in the regency of Karangasem, East Bali, are in even worsening crisis of water supply. Head of administrative village of Tigaron Timur in Kubu district, Ketut Rukiana and a resident of Bukit Mangun village said that water reservoir makes no help. The lately completed project elapsing billions out of local government budget proven to be useless and only benefiting a number of local elites.

Mangku Surata who once worked in construction of piping network bringing water from the reservoir to households in Daya, Ban, Kubu said that the reservoir holds only a little of water which is useless as the water has bad odor. “I think it will be more effective if every smaller group of residents given a smaller individual reservoir”, he continued.

The member of regency house of representative Oka Antara expressed similar vision. He informed that the house members has been advising the government from quite a long while to give assistance to smaller group of residents to build their own cluster reservoir instead of larger centralized one. In addition to needing less pipeline network, the first approach to be carried out by the residents themselves should cost less. “However, centralized reservoir construction took large amount of money to be paid out to one contractor, resulting more potential fee certain elites”, he added.

Rukiana said that he has given up in responding to residents’ complain with regard to crisis of water supply in Kubu. Mangku Surata said that together with his fellow residents in Darma Winangun, Tianyar Timur, Kubu, he once managed to operate a deep well. Unfortunate local residents could no longer afford to finance its operation due to increasing price of fuel. Even the local company for water supply (PDAM) refused to take over its operation as it was financially not profitable. “The water flow is quite high, 8.5 liters per second”, he continued.

Through text response services the residents appealed the regent to not forget his people who are suffering for water crisis. On the other hand another member of the regency house of representatives Made Geriya, S.H. said that he has been continuously reminded the executive with regard to cyclical water supply crisis which needs sustainable solution. He insisted that all promises spread during his electoral campaign have to be fulfilled.

Handicraft products especially those made of wood remains dominate Bali export. During the first half of 2008 wooden handicrafts recorded a total of over 52 millions US Dollars on export of almost 43 thousands pieces. Head of Bali Office for International Trade Ni Wayan Kusumawathi, S.H. brought the figure in her press briefing.

She explained that compared to other export products of Bali, handicrafts remained its highest contribution recording 46.89%, out of which wooden handicraft brought in 17.77%. Month on month increase between January and June show consistent increase recording a total of 139,163 millions US Dollars, significantly higher than the same period of previous year which recorded 118,472 millions US Dollars.

The second highest contributor was farming product, which during the first half of 2008 recorded 51,337 millions US Dollars, a significant increase over the same period last year which recorded only 38,759 millions US Dollars. Tuna dominated farming product with 42,569 millions US Dollars followed by tiger fish, coral fishes, and snapper.

Unfortunately success of handicraft and farming was not followed by agriculture including cocoa, coffee, and vanilla which supposed to have quite strong market potentials. Total export of agriculture products during the first half of 2008 decreased to as low as only 118 thousands US Dollars compared to 811 thousands US Dollars within the same period of previous year.

Whilst the country is suffering for economic challenge in result of soaring fuel price, Bali remains showing improvement in  its economic growth. Tourism remains the largest income contributor. Therefore without ignoring other supporting sectors, tourism deserves continues careful attention.

The Managing Director of Bali branch of the country’s central bank Drs. Viraguna Bagoes Oka when interviwed, by Bali Post regarding the effect of soaring inflation to the grass root economy, informed that Bali shows very different pattern compared to other Indonesian provinces. Bali’s economy enjoys significant support from tourism industry and other supporting sectors. “Unique situation in Bali allows it to still recording positive growth despite of weakening global economy”, he added. In soaring inflation, Balinese purchasing power remains.

However Bali needs to loosen its dependency to tourism. High fuel price affects air-fare cost and may decrease number of visiting tourists. Viraguna thought that Bali needs a breakthrough to rectify other economic sectors, even they may not get to the same success as tourism. In addition to tourism Bali has many other economic sectors which potentially can strengthen local economy. Agriculture and fishery are to name some.  His visit to a number centers for fishery production confirmed his opinion. “Very promising yields and economically profitable”, he added.

A tourism business player who also the chairman of Sanur Development Foundation I.B. Sidharta Putra said that Bali is currently enjoying an even more promising growth on tourism industry. Number of visiting tourists increased significantly. The chairman of HPI Bali Drs. Made Sukadana expresses his optimism that tourism industry in Bali is even more prospective. In addition to increasing number of visiting tourists, distribution of tourists’ origin is also improving. “Asian market is growing beyond European market”, he said to support his opinion. Domestic tourists contribution is also increasing.

Considering increasing importance of tourism industry to Bali economy, both Sidharta and Sukadana agreed that closer attention and continuous improvement are required to ensure comfort and safety of the visiting tourists during their stay.

Construction project of pedestrian path on the sides of Jalan Danau Tamblingan in Sanur district and Jalan Seroja in Tonja district of Denpasar were complained by local residents. In Tonja residents complained that the construction contractor worked very slow, leaving lasting disturbance to shops along the street. Additionally, the quality of materials in use was also in question.

“In addition to inferior material quality, the construction took too long to complete, resulting in disturbance to normal operation of businesses along the street”, said Putu Ambara, a resident of Jalan Seroja. Sanur noted a different case.

Tarja who works in tourism business complained inferior quality of workmanship. Bad placements of paving blocks caused accidents to a number of foreign tourists. Tarja who officially brought his complain to the city’s House of Representative added that placement of materials during construction ignoring user’s of both the road and the pedestrian path resulted in inconvenience especially for visiting tourists.

Responding to the complain, a house member Ir. I.B. Gede Udiyana expected Denpasar office of The Minstry of Public Works to put sufficient supervision to ensure proper execution of the project by hired contractors, in order to avoid negative image of Sanur, especially closing to the coming Sanur Village Festival. Furthermore he insisted every involved stakeholder to do their best to prevent similar cases. The such small glitches which potentially jeopardize the highly promoted Visit Indonesia Year 2008. “In addition to the office of The Ministry of Culture and Tourism, all other government agencies have to commit to support the program”, he continued.

Finally Udiyana said that he has contacted the Head of Denpasar office of The Minstry of Public Work to call for a better supervision ensuring attention to public convenience as well as construction quality.

After long in polemic, owner of Villa Suluban at Pecatu carried out deconstruction with close supervision by the government. However seriousness of the government was in question as the deconstruction only affect small inferior parts, leaving larger parts which also pronounced as violation to the building permit remained untouched.

The House of Representatives of Badung Regency immediately paid its attention. Disappointment the House’s disappointment was expressed by I Wayan Sudiana in an interview by Bali Post. Wayan thinks that the fact show the government’s inconsistency in law enforcement.

The deconstruction led by Herman Sibarani, project manager hired by the owner, under close supervision of related government agencies, only affected seven meters of basement designed for spa. Other parts which earlier pronounced as violating building permit as well as the two floored building and violation to cliff-front construction-free area have been classified legal by the supervising officials and therefore allowed to remain untouched.

The house member Sudiana said that in principle the whole premise of Villa Suluban has to go away, as by the master plan the whole area is intended as tourist attraction. “It is not the question of which part. The area is intended for tourist attraction instead of accommodation facilities”, said Sudiana. “The building permit itself is a violation, and therefore all parties involved in issuing the permit allowing the owner to build accommodation facilities in the area have to be deemed responsible to return the area into its original allocation”.

After a winding period of ignoring notices form the government of Badung Regency, the owner of Villa Suluban in Uluwatu finally decided to carry out deconstruction on their own, which will be started on Thursday July 17th 2008. The decision informed by Villa Suluban through its lawyer Soeraya, S.H. and the hired contractor when they come to the office of regency’s regulation enforcement force - locally known as Satpol PP - in Denpasar.

The commander of the force I Wayan Adi Arnawa informed that deconstruction will only affected parts of the villa which violate approved master plan. The construction permit - locally known as IMB - no. 639/2008 for the premise was issued under the name of Lusia Ciptadi. The owner has admitted their violation. “They admitted their conduct of violation, and therefore they are willing to carry out deconstruction on their own starting Thursday July 17th 2008 under supervision by our office”, explained Arnawa. He also confirmed that the such deconstruction shall only affect parts of the premise which violate the construction permit. However he did not gave any further details.

Whist it was not affecting all, it seems to affect significant part of the premise. Violation to construction permit included two floors instead of allowed one floor, basement which has not been shown in the permit, as well as some structures on the cliff edge.

The coastal police force of Bali proceeds their investigation in stranded Taiwanese fishing boat at Labuan Sait beach, one of famous surfing beaches in Pecatu, South of Kuta. The police has got confirmation about the truth that the boat came from Taiwan, and has identified all the crews.

The Commander of Bali coastal police force AKBP Oka Eswara Chandrana explained in his briefing that the boat named Hotsaifa 18 has 11 crews including the captain, Harmani. All other crews are Indonesian citizens. “We are now in attempt to locate them as so fare they are still missing”, he added. Identification of the boat was confirmed by Taiwan Consulate in Jakarta  who place a report of missing boat to coastal police force of Central Java.

Interviewed separately the commander of East Java coastal police coast AKBP Sutrisna informed that he has received the report of missing boat placed by Taiwan Consulate, and so fair is identifying the boat in cooperation with his Balinese counterpart. To the question weather the boat was stranded because of weather or robbery, Sutrisna told that investigation is still ongoing and therefore he does not have an answer yet.

The Head of Operation of Bali coastal police force Police Commissioner Handoyo informed that the boat with 98 gross ton is still stranded at Labuan Sait beach. Evacuation is awaiting for the owner who is still taking care of insurance claim.