April 22, 2022
More panhandlers sweeps in Denpasar, Kuta & Ubud; police seek more resources + 50%+ of fire hydrants in Denpasar inoperable + Amid tourism rebound, island saw huge decline in retail sales + more
Good morning!
Welcome to The Bali Beat for Friday, April 22. In today’s edition: Police in Denpasar, Kuta, and Ubud conducted more sweeps of panhandlers & illegal vendors, with Badung police asking for coordination from the provincial government. An investigation has shown that over 50% of Denpasar's fire hydrants are inoperable, putting huge swathes of the city at risk. And as tourism is rebounding, new numbers show how deep a hole the local retail sector needs to dig itself out of. Scroll down for the full wrap on what has been happening in Bali and Indonesia since you last heard from us.
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Weather & Tides
Today’s Weather for Southern Bali
Today’s Tides
Meteorology, Climatology & Geophysics Council (Link)
Tide table from Tide-forecast.com.
Daily Covid Update
National Figures
Local Figures
The Big News
“Arrested, Dozens of [Panhandlers] at Red Light" from Bali Post (Indonesian): In the control carried out in the Tohpati red light area, Kesiman Kertalangu, the Satpol PP managed to secure dozens of [15] flattened people [panhandlers]. The Head of Public Order at the Denpasar City Satpol PP, Nyoman Sudarsana, said that his party had taken control of flattened people who used to operate in public places, such as red lights. According to Sudarsana, after the maudeng buskers in the lights have been overcome, buskers and street vendors are still often found. "Including clowns, we can't find them anymore, but flattened people and street vendors at red lights are still there," he said. His party admitted that in Denpasar they could only carry out order, guidance, repatriation, and the Tipiring trial. This is because they all have identities outside Denpasar. "We from Satpol PP cannot do it alone, we need support from many parties, including those upstream or in the area of origin," he said.
Context: After yesterday’s news of panhandlers - most of whom were children - in Ubud and Kuta being rounded up, in addition to the story above there were reports of another action in Gianyar to clear illegal vendors near an intersection, and a sweep in Kuta that saw 28 more people, including 19 children, taken in by police. Badung Police said that they needed more coordination with Provincial Social Service, the Provincial Government, and governments in the panhandlers' home regions in order to fully address the problem. Meanwhile, Karangasem’s social services agency said that they had recently assisted 163 people who had been returned to the regency by police in other regions for panhandling, including the 22 people who were arrested in Ubud on Wednesday.
"Hundreds of hydrants for fires spread in Denpasar, but more than half of them don't work" from Suara Bali (Indonesian): In tackling the fire disaster in Denpasar City , the government has provided 130 hydrant points spread across various regions. However, not all available hydrants are compatible with fire hoses and their whereabouts are not found. Secretary of the Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Kpta Denpasar, Ardy Ganggas said there were 130 hydrants spread over 4 sub-districts. However, when the fire brigade team looked for water through the hydrant, it was not uncommon for a number of hydrant couplings to not match the fire hose. Based on data from the Denpasar City BPBD, only 32 hydrant points have been checked and their condition can still be used. The criteria for still functioning here are normal water, good clutch and good condition.
"Retail Industry in Bali Still Growing Negatively" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian): Retail sales in Bali are still growing negatively or contracting since the pandemic in 2020 until the end of 2021. Data from the Indonesian Retail Entrepreneurs Association (Aprindo) of Bali Province states that in 2020 the value of retail sales will contract by 21% and sales volume will also contract by 19%. In 2021 the value of retail sales will still contract 11.66% and transaction volume will also contract 15.76%. Chairperson of Aprindo Bali AANGurah Agung Agra Putra, explained that retail sales conditions in Bali during the pandemic were in line with Bali's economic conditions which were also experiencing contraction. "In line with Bali's economic growth which has contracted for two years, the retail industry has also experienced a double-digit contraction during the 2020-2021 period," Agung said.
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Other Headlines
"Ahead of Lebaran, Vehicle Rauds are Intensified" from Bali Post (Indonesian): Towards Eid al-Fitr, the police have increased patrols and vehicle raids. This is done to anticipate the occurrence of disturbances in public order and crime, especially stealing, stealing and stealing. As was done by members of the North Kuta Police, Tuesday (19/4) who combed areas prone to crime and frequented by foreign tourists. The Head of Public Relations of the Badung Police, Iptu Ketut Sudana, accompanied by the Supervisory Officer (Pawas) of the North Kuta Police, Iptu I Nyoman Suarjana, explained Wednesday (20/4) that his party continues to increase patrol efforts by targeting locations prone to crime. Mainly on routes that are often passed by local and foreign tourists, such as the Pengubengan and Umalas areas, Kerobokan Kelod Village.
Tourism Update
Badung: "Tourists Arrive, North Kuta Area Stats to Traffic Jam" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Badung: "Hundreds of People Start Homecoming, 127 Buses Are Ready at Terminal Type A Mengwi" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "Three Tourist Villages in Buleleng Proposed as G-20 Visit Locations" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Six thousand participants will come to Bali, Governor Koster Supports National Cooperative Day in July" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Covid Developments
Nation: "PBNU creates '1 Million Vaccine Booster' program throughout Indonesia" from Antara (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "The Judiciary Team Still Finds Prokes Violators" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Netted in a raid in Denpasar, 24 people who don't wear masks are sanctioned for reciting Pancasila and singing" from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
Business, Economy & Infrastructure
"Balinese Women Face Economic Problems Up To Double Burden" from IDN Times (Indonesian): The founder of the Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Bali Women Crisis Center (WCC), Ni Nengah Budawati, revealed that Balinese women experience difficulties because they have to struggle and think about the family economy. They tend to play multiple roles. Apart from fulfilling domestic obligations, he also looks for ways to increase family income, either by selling food, making crafts, and even trying new things out of the ordinary. "It is believed that the involvement of women in the family economy will provide a solution to the family's financial problems," said Nengah Budawati.
More...
Nation: "Russia-Ukraine war's economic impact on Indonesia relatively small" from Antara
Nation: "On the Upstream Side, Puan Can Play a Role in Overcoming Cooking Oil Prices" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Nation: "Gov't readies Rp283 trillion for MSME business credit program" from Antara
Denpasar: "Denpasar City Government accelerates the construction of clean water canals" from Antara (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Archery Venue Proposed to Move to Denpasar" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "Gianyar PDIP Faction Chair Urges Government to Stop Illegal Concrete Factory" from Bali Express (Indonesian)
"Bali Prosecutor's Office Launches Restorative Justice House" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): The head of the Bali High Prosecutor's Office (Kajati), Ade T Sutiawarman, said the goal of restorative justice is to get a fair and balanced legal decision for both the victim and the perpetrator. "The main principle of restorative justice is law enforcement which always prioritizes restoration to its original state and restores the pattern of good relations in society." The Umah Keadilan Restorative Justice is intended for people who need legal information; it will be equipped with a State Attorney and Public Prosecutor. "State Attorneys and Public Prosecutors will serve at Umah Keadilan Restorative Justice." Requirements that must be met in handling cases through restorative justice include the first time the perpetrator has committed a crime, the loss is less than Rp. 2.5 million, the victim forgives with an official report from a public figure. "The case that was submitted formally and materially was fulfilled, the process passed a proposal from the Attorney General's Office to the Attorney General's Office and then an exposure was carried out, so the Attorney General from West Java will decide," said the Prosecutor from West Java. Penglipuran Village was chosen as the location of the Restorative Justice Umah because Penglipuran Village is a tourist destination so it becomes a gathering place and this village has very strong customs.
Weekend Reads
"The endless trials for Indonesian trans men" from The Jakarta Post
"Rendang and the Culture of Migration" from Indonesia Expat
Of Interest
"Kartini Day, Dozens of Women in Kebaya Conquer the Waves of Kuta Beach Bali" from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
"Two Bali villages win Zero Waste award from Home Ministry" from Antara
"Looks like a woman not wearing clothes stirs Ubud residents, turns out to be a sex doll" from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
"Acung Merchants on Kuta Beach Have a Famous Name" from Nusa Bali (Indonesian)
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How You Can Help Bali
Due to the collapse of the tourism sector in Bali, tens of thousands of families have found themselves with a greatly reduced income—if any. If you’d like to support organizations working to help those in need, you can see a list of some here.
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