In less than a month, Air Bali has made a two emergency landings of its helicopters with passengers aboard. The latest incident took place on Saturday, May 17, 2008, when a Bell Helicopter chartered by the Company was forced to make an unscheduled landing in the playground of a Junior High School in Bali's capital of Denpasar. The earlier incident took place less than one month earlier on April 23, 2008, when another Air Bali helicopter operated made a hard landing on Lebih Beach. [See: Bali Air Makes Emergency Landing on East Coast Beach]

Although passengers were on board in both flights, no serious injuries were reported.

According to reports in Bali Post and Radar Bali the latest "unscheduled" landing happened at around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday afternoon when the pilot with 4 passengers on board made a smooth landing in a local schoolyard following problems with the helicopter's power plant.

According to local press reports, a subsequent inspection of the helicopter revealed a substantial amount of kite string entangled on the aircrafts rotor blades.

Kite flying is a popular seasonal pastime in Bali, oftentimes involving huge kites secured by large gauge strings and wire. The cause of numerous power outages and an acknowledged threat to aviation, loosely enforced regulations are in place that limit the areas and the maximum permitted height for kite flying in Bali. [See: Yikes! Watch Out for Kites]

The playground of the school used for the landing was empty at the time of the incident, but local residents were reportedly momentarily panicked by the sudden appearance of a helicopter in their neighborhood.

Both the Air Bali helicopters involved in both incidents are owned by a Jakarta-based charter company - Derazona and leased to Air Bali.

While both landings are under investigation, aviation officials have given high marks to both pilots for the way in which they handled an emergency landing.

The latest incident happened on a flight from Tanah Lot to the Sanur area.

The annual tradition of the Bali Kite Festival will return to the beaches of Sanur at Padang Galak July 10-13, 2008, where the ecvent is expected to draw some 800 teams competing for honor. As in the past, large teams of young men from local villages across Bali - all dressed in traditional Balinese costumes, will launch kites so large and elaborate that two lanes of traffic are sometimes blocked when transporting the kites to and from the competition grounds.

Considered a major event on the international kiting calendar, teams from a number of countries, including Malaysia, Japan, German and India - are expected to travel to Bali.

All participants are required to attend a mandatory briefing on July 6th during which rules and guidelines will be distributed to all teams. A very Balinese affair, teams are required to wear traditional dress while competing in the Festival.

57 year-old Inspector General Teuku Asikin Husein was formally installed as Bali's Chief of Police on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, replacing General Paulus Purwoko who has been rotated to the role of Vice-Deputy of the Criminal Investigation Division at National police Headquarters. [See: Bali's Chief of Police Paulus Purwoko Transferring to Jakarta]

General Asikin is Bali's 31st Chief of Police, coming to the post after a distinguished career that commenced in 1971 when he entered the National Police Academy. He has served in a variety of roles with the Indonesian police force, including an assignment with U.N. police forces in Bosnia and an assignment in Aceh, North Sumatra. Domestic assignments for Asikin have included jobs in Aceh, Sulawesi and Java. He has served in senior roles in the Police Intelligence Unit and, most recently, as Governor of the National Police Academy.

At the induction ceremony presided over by National Police Chief Susanto, outgoing Bali Police Chief Purwoko said he had every confidence in his successor, based on his extensive background in criminal and intelligence police work. Purwoko also said he was honored to serve the people of Bali during a two year period marked by peace, security and the successful hosting of the international Climate Change Summit in December 2007.

The Ritz-Carlton, Bali Resort & Spa will host another in its series of memorable culinary events showcasing Cuvaison Premium Wines on Friday, June 6, 2008, at the Resort's contemporary restaurant - Dava.

The evening begins with a cocktail and canapé reception at the open air C-Bar lounge, - an incandescent Oriental atmosphere framed by silk-canopied opium-beds providing a prelude to the contemporary décor of Dava and the indulgent menu that awaits.

Following cocktails guests will be escorted to their seats and the panoramic view of the Indian Ocean in the stylish eighty-seat lotus-shaped Dava restaurant. Dava's Chef de Cuisine Dean Keddell’s has played matchmaker to a stunning array of fine Cuvaison Wines, including the rare collection of Oakville Cabernet.

Dava is renowned for its South Australian black truffles, foie gras, yabbies, line-caught barramundi, white asparagus, golden chanterelles and Valrhona chocolate.

Cuvaison Estate Wines

Napa Valley's Cuvaison Estate was established in 1969 and derives its Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot from its Carneros Estate and its Cabernet Sauvignon from its Mount Veeder Estate. All these Californian wines are hand-crafted and aged in small French oak barrels. Cuvaison Estate Wines are distributed in all 50 states of the U.S.A., 40 international markets, in first class on numerous airlines and on board leading cruise lines.

Seating is strictly limited and, as with past wine evenings, this event is expected to sell out. For reservations contact the Public Relations Department of The Ritz-Carlton, Bali Resort & Spa at ++62-(0)361-702222.

The Embassy of Italy and the Italian Institute of Culture in collaboration with the Indonesia Opera Society will commemorate Italy's National Day with the presentation of Giovanni Battista Pergolesi's Opera "”La Serva Padrona" on May 31, 2008, in Bali.

The Opera Buffa will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2008, at the Gedung Ksirarnawa at the Bali Art Center (Taman Budaya) in downtown Denpasar.

"La Serva Padrona"

The opera buffa "La Serva Padrona” by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (1710-1736) was presented for the first time in Naples on August 28, 1733, at the Theatre San Bartolomeo as an intermezzo to the opera seria "Il Prigionier Superbo", also by Pergolesi. Later "La Serva Padrona" was independently presented, reaping acclaim from the public and superseding fame of the opera seria to which it was original presented as an addendum.

An opera of relatively short duration and playfully presented in two acts, it is hoped that this special musical presentation will win the hearts of Indonesian audiences. For its Indonesian debut, the opera is creatively set in 18th century Batavia; attiring Uberto, the Patron, and his servant, Serpina, in Javanese costumes.

For this special event, one of Italy’s leading baritones Massimo Di Stefano will perform the role of Uberto performing with Indonesian soprano, Linda Sitinjak, as Serpina.

The Bali production is supported by Robert Brown as musical director; Chendra E. Panatan as set director, and the 12-piece Jakarta Chamber Orchestra.

Seating is extremely limited. For more information contact the Italian Consulate at ++62-(0)361-701005.

”La Serva Padrona”

An Opera Buffa in Two Acts

Saturday, May 31, 2008 – 7:30 p.m.

Gedung Ksirarnawa - Taman Budaya (Bali Art Center), Denpasar, Bali

Bisnis Indonesia confirms that the Department of Transportation is increasing from three to seven the number of daily flights Singapore Airlines (SIA) will be allowed to operate between Denpasar (Bali) and Singapore.

The Director of Civil Aviation at the Department of Transportation, Tri S. Sunoko, told the press that the permission for additional flights is temporary in nature and has been granted on an ad hoc basis in connection with the current high passenger demand during Visit Indonesia Year 2008 promotion. Sunoko also cautioned that the extra flights were being granted to SIA on the understanding that the additional flights must be flown with some degree of cooperation with Indonesian airlines, such a joint operations or code-sharing to permit joint marketing with Garuda Indonesia.

Before the new flights can be operated, the Department of Transportation must receive a formal request from the Department of Culture and Tourism specifying the number of additional flights requested, the number of passenger seats involved and the type of aircraft that will be utilized.

Additional Flights Pushed by Vice-President

The long-awaited liberalization of air traffic rights for SIA between Denpasar and Singapore comes following strong urgings from Indonesia's Vice-President Jusuf Kalla and the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

The move to grant more flights to SIA has also received the endorsement of the Indonesian National Air Carriers Association (INACA) whose Chairman, Tengku Burhanudin, said the code-sharing requirement would ensure both Indonesia and Singapore profit from the new policy.

A spokesperson for SIA in Jakarta said the Airline welcomes the new policy, although they had yet to receive a formal confirmation of the permission for more flights from the Government. Under the liberalized flight policy, SIA has the potential of carrying 13,000 passengers each week between Singapore and Bali, a doubling from their current capacity of 6,500 passengers.

Because of SIA’s extensive world-wide marketing and flight route network, the liberalized flight policy will provide Bali with wide access to markets in Europe, Russia, South Africa and the United States.

Emotions continue to escalate across Bali between opposing parties in the debate on whether a 5 km "no build" zone surrounding the Uluwatu Temple and other public temples on the Island should be strictly onserved.

According to Bali Post, on Monday, May 12, 2008, hundred of demonstrators proclaiming themselves as "People Concerned for Bali's Sacred Places" gathered in front of the regional House of Representatives for Badung at Sempidi. The protestors, coordinated by Si Ketut Mandiranatha, also held a demonstration at the Bali Provincial House of Representatives to show their support for the long-standing regulations of the Council of Hindu Affairs (PHDI) and the Provincial Law (2005) outlawing any construction within 5 km of a major Public Temple.

21 Day Deadline Issued

As reported in the Bali Post, the protestors gave a 21-day deadline to regional and provincial legislators to prove their commitment in the current controversy by taking action against the hotels and villas standing within a 5 km radius of the Uluwatu Temple. Giving a hint of things to come, Mandiranatha said: "Actually we planned on bringing thousands of demonstrators. From university students we planned to bring 3,000 people, from the community of Jembrana we were going to bring 2,000 people, and that doesn't include people from the general public. But I urged, don't (bring so many people). It would be pointless with the Bupati and his Council currently on tour to Paris."

The demonstrator arrived at around 10:30 a.m. where they provided public orations in front of the House of Representatives followed by a meeting between ten of the protestors and a group of legislators from the Badung DPRD. During their meeting with the legislators the demonstrators expressed their strong displeasure with a recent group who protested in favor of buildings within 5 km of the Uluwatu Temple.

Mandiranatha also disdained local legislators who have used their power in an authoritarian manner and tried to defend their decisions by pointing to similar building violations in other areas of Bali. "They should demolish (the buildings) first if they have any courage," he suggested.

"Advance Without Fear"

Meanwhile at the Bali Provincial House of Representatives hundred of local leaders dressed in white traditional Balinese garments were received by the Head of Commission I of the DPRD Bali, Made Arjaya. As Mandiranatha walked up the stairs to meet the legislators he sang a popular song "Maju tak Gentar" (Advance without Fear) to which the lyrics had be altered to: "Advance without fear and oust the greedy officials; advance without fear and oust the land speculators." Mandiranatha later added, "I am sad that the sacred area of Uluwatu is being trespassed upon out of the interest of greedy officials and that the Uluwati area has been sub-divided for villas."

A Problem of Enforcement?

I.B. Purwa and the former Chairman of the Jembrana House of Representatives (DPRD), Wayan Mawa, who both joined the demonstrations, called on the Bali DPRD to be consistent and enforce the PHDI regulations creating a 5 km radius around public temples. They also called on the legislators to enforce set back rules from the beach in order to give wider access to the public for religious ceremonies.

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[A Bali Demolition Derby]

[Crackdown on Construction Near Uluwatu]

[Editorial: Cry, the Beloved Country]

From the varied landscapes of Western Australia where she was born, to the rich colours of Bali that she now calls home, artist Kerry Pendergrast offers a celebration of the beautiful environments that are closest to her heart.

Prefering to paint and draw outside, Kerry’s paintings capture the changes of light and mood. "When you spend hours in the scene, you carry the essence and spirit of the image in detail with you always," says the Artist.

Her use of soft pastel on sand paper enhances the colors of the pastel and allows each stroke to been seen in rich detail. For the first time at her current exhibition, Pendergrast is also showing oil paintings on canvas, a new medium for her, employing textures found only by using brush and palette knife.

An Eye for Bali and Western Australian

Much of the work featured in the current exhibition is from Bali, Kerry’s home for fifteen years and an endless source of her artistic inspiration: the rice fields in all their seasons; the spectacular mountains of Bedugul with their pristine lakes; the temples set like jewels in the landscape; and the tropical beaches of Amed, Sanur and Padang Bai.

Also included in the current exhibition are a number of works done in Western Australia, Pendergrast's birthplace, capturing the spring flowers of the Southwest, the crystal clear beaches of Esperance, and the forests and farms of Pemberton. The exhibition also includes additional works from Java and views done around the grounds of Alila Ubud – the venue for the current exhibition.

About the Artist

Kerry Pendergrast was born in Perth, Western Australia in 1963. After pursuing a career in theatre and music, a trip to Bali set her on a new course when she met her future Indonesian husband Pranoto, an artist. She moved to Ubud, Bali in 1993 and has two children.

In Ubud Pendergrast began developing as an artist, attending and organising model sessions at Pranato's Art Gallery which she established with her husband, Pranato, in 1996. Since her first solo exhibition a decade ago, she has held many exhibitions in Indonesia and Australia.

"Windows to Nature" – scenes of Bali, Western Australia and Java

A solo exhibition by Kerry Pendergrast

Alila Ubud GalleryJune 6 to July 30, 2008

For more information telephone Yessy Hidajat at ++62-(0)361-975963

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Kerry Pendergrast Pictures

click image to enlarge

WALHI - the Indonesian Environmental Forum has joined a growing chorus calling for more control and greater deliberation on the rapid expansion of Bali's hotel and villa industry.

As reported by the National News Agency Antara, the Chairman of the Bali WALHI Chapter, Anak Agung Wardana, has written to the Regents of Tabanan, Karangasem and Badung urging restraint in the rapid development of their regions. Hotel project at Wangaya Beta in Tabanan, Padangbai in Karangasem and a villa at Uluwatu in Badung were specifically spotlighted in Wardana's letters to the local provincial chiefs.

Reflecting concerns regularly voiced by many in Bali, Wardana told Antara that the subject projects threaten the local environment in Bali and the natural social order of the Balinese people.

Walhi is also calling on district heads in Bali to be more transparent in granting approval to new tourism projects in Bali, allowing local residents a greater say in deciding which projects gain development approval.

As quoted in Antara, Wardana said: "Under Law No. 23/1997 on the Environment Management and Bylaw No. 4/2005 on Pollution Control and Environmental Destruction, every citizen (is) entitled to obtain correct information on and participate in environmental management."

An article in Nusa Bali has spotlighted growing concerns that a tourism mega-project on the nearby island of Lombok, currently being developed by the Bali Tourism Development Corporation (BTDC), may represent strong future competition to Bali.

Located in the southern part of the island, the Lombok project is being financed by an U.A.E. company, Emaar Properties at an estimated project cost of US$600 million.

'Become a Tourism Destination Like Bali'

Emaar Properties' commitment to developing business links in Indonesia is evidenced by the recent opening of a representative office in Jakarta, established to help the U.A.E. investors identify wider business opportunities in Indonesia. At an opening ceremony of the Jakarta office, the Chairman of Emaar Properties, Mohamed Ali Alabbar, told the press: "the representative Emaar Properties office in Jakarta will allow our company to identify new growth opportunities in Indonesia. It will also ensure that our Lombok project stays on schedule and realize its potential to become a tourism destination like Bali."

Emaar Properties is one of the largest real estate companies in the world and listed on the Dow Jones Arabia Titans Index.

The Lombok Project will cover an area of 1,175 hectares located on Lombok's Kuta Beach and consume a stretch of 17 kilometers of beach front. The project will include a marina, luxury private accommodation and 5-star resorts.

Emaar Properties Group

The portfolio of the Emaar Properties Group includes projects in a number of nations including the U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Morocco, Turkey, Libya, Algeria, India, Pakistan, the U.S.A., Great Britain, France, Canada and Indonesia. The company is a 30% shareholder in the Dubai Bank and the largest shareholder in Amlak Finance, the largest lender for Islamic housing in the United Arab Emirates.

The President Director of the BTDC, I Made Mandra, confirmed plans to develop the Lombok site in cooperation with Emaar Properties and that an extensive feasibility study is now underway prior to a formal commencement of the project in late 2008 or early 2009.

Lombok as Indonesia's New Major Gateway

Mandra projects that the Lombok project will begin welcoming guests in three year's time to a collection of 5-star properties and deluxe villas with a main market focus on tourists from the Middle East. With the opening of Lombok's new airport at Penujak in Central Lombok, guests will be able to fly directly to Lombok.

The first phase of the Lombok project site calls for the construction of two 5-star hotels and a number of villas. Further development of the Lombok site, which is 4 times larger than the Bali BTDC site, will take place in the coming ten to twenty years as market conditions permit. Madra dismisses concerns that Bali could eventually lose market share to Lombok because of the new project, insisting that each island possesses its own unique charm and distinctive culture.

Once Lombok's new Penujak International Airport is opened it will boast a runway 4,500 meters long and able to accommodate the latest generation of jumbo jets. Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport, on the other hand, is only 3,000 meters long with plans to extend the runway thwarted by a variety of environmental and cultural issues.

Bali Post reports that the Government is expected to increase fuel prices sometime shortly after May 23, 2008, once details of a direct cash relief program are agreed. The Government's plans were confirmed by the Coordinating Minister for the People's Welfare, Aburizal Bakrie, following a Cabinet meeting held in Jakarta on May 14, 2008.

Bakrie explained, "the announcement on fuel price increases will occur shortly after the President is satisfied with the direct cash relief program which will be submitted to him on May 23rd."

Bakrie said that the cards that will control the direct cash relief program will go to the printers on May 22nd and will be distributed by the Postal Department to provincial governments and local governments for presentation to low-income households.

Indonesia's Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Purnomo Yusgiantoro, admitted growing unrest in the public in connection with plans to increase fuel costs and, in some instances, has resulted in a scarcity of fuel supplies in some areas of the Country.

Purnomo blamed cases of public discontent on various causes, including speculative purchasing of limited fuel stocks. Minister Purnomo said the Government is taking steps to strengthen fuel stocks and frustrate the efforts of hoarders.

Following the same Cabinet meeting, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Boediono, said the Government would not act hastily in increasing fuel costs, ensuring that any hike does not overburden the poor.

The National News Agency Antara reports that the Ministry of Transportation is disbursing another Rp. 20 billion (US$2.2 million) towards the construction of a new port facility at Amuk in Karangasem, East Bali.

The Rp. 20 billion follows a Rp. 10 billion (US$1.1 million) contribution made in 2007 toward a total project cost of Rp. 70 billion (US$7.6 million).

According to Antara, the port is expected to be completed and in operation by September 2009.

Tourism Ministry spokesmen are confident that improved port facilities will allow large cruise ships to dock and disembark passengers in Bali, luring an increasing number of cruise ships to Indonesia.

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The three Bali Bombers – Amrozi, Ali Gufron and Iman Samudera – have once again been rebuffed by the Bali District Court in their continuing attempt to delay their execution before a firing squad.

In rejecting their third appeal filed to the Supreme Court, Nyoman Gde Wirya – the Chairman of the District Court in Denpasar, told Tempo Interaktif on Wednesday, May 14, 2008, "the material (in the appeal) is the same as in the first and second appeal." Wirya also told the press that the final determination regarding the third appeal lies solely with the Supreme Court and has forwarded the appeal to Jakarta, while refusing to again convene a judicial panel in Bali to hear the appeal.



In a written communication from the Bali Court to the Supreme Court, the Bali Jurist has reportedly attached the formal decision in the first appeal and the minutes of the second appeal of the "Bali Bombers" to the latest appeal. The Bali Court is refusing to convene a panel of judges and have, instead, chosen to send their appeal directly to the Supreme Court.

The "Bali Bombers" have now appealed their case three times. The first appeal was rejected by the Bali District Court and the Supreme Court. A second appeal was withdrawn by the Bombers' attorneys when their request for a change of venue and the attendance of the 3 accused in Bali was refused by the Bali judges. The third and latest appeal, purportedly prepared directly by the three condemned men, was submitted to the Bali Court via the Chief Warden of the Batu Prison in Nusakambangan where the "Bali Bombers" now sit on death row.

Nothing New

Wirya told Tempo Interaktif, the back-to-back repetitive appeal process being pursued by the three convicts is at odds with the accepted principle of a simple, speedy and low cost judicial process guaranteed under law in Indonesia.

Wirya said the entire matter now rests with the Supreme Court. "If the Court orders us to convene a panel of judges, we will do so," he explained. In the meantime, preparations for the final execution of the three continues.

Wirya said that there was no new evidence included in the latest appeal, presenting only a repetition of the earlier arguments that the conviction and death sentences delivered against the three on July 23, 2004 is invalid because it applies a new anti-terrorist law passed in 2004 which post dates a crime committed in 2002. That legal argument was dismissed in the initial appeal.