June 3, 2021
Salvage mission for KRI Nanggala submarine called off + Immigration searching for foreigners in porn videos allegedly filmed in Bali + Badung southern ring road project enters 3rd stage + more
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Weather & Waves
Today’s Weather for Southern Bali
Today’s Tides
Meteorology, Climatology & Geophysics Council (Link)
Tide table from Tide-forecast.com.
Local Covid Numbers
*Note: With 33 new cases recorded on June 2, the day after a national holiday, the 7-day average dropped to 41, the lowest since August 16. This means daily new case totals are at an almost ten-month low. The 7-day fatality average has also decreased (20), which is the lowest since December 26.
Click here to see the national numbers infographic and a Regency-by-Regency breakdown of yesterday’s local numbers.
The Big News
"Indonesia Calls Off Salvage Bid for KRI Nanggala Submarine" from BBC News: Indonesia has ended its efforts to salvage the remains of a navy submarine that sank off the coast of Bali on 21 April, killing all 53 crew on board. The KRI Nanggala disappeared after requesting permission to dive during live torpedo exercises in the Bali Sea. The 40-year-old vessel was found days later, split into three parts. Efforts have so far failed to retrieve the wreckage from a depth of more than 800m (2,600 ft). The cause of the disaster is still being investigated. "The salvage is over," navy spokesman Julius Widjojono said. The joint Indonesia-China team dived 20 times to collect photos, videos, and parts of the sunken sub, the Indonesian navy said in a statement. None of the bodies of the 53 on board have been retrieved. "Our family is hoping they can lift it," Sudarmaji, the father of one crew member said shortly before Wednesday's announcement to end the salvage operation. "It doesn't matter if it takes a while or we have to ask for more help from other countries," he added.
"Viral Pornographic Videos of Foreigners Allegedly in Bali, Ministry of Law and Human Rights Regional Office Intervenes" from Detik (Indonesian): Pornographic videos allegedly made in Bali have gone viral on TikTok. The various videos are strongly suspected to have been made in a villa in Bali, as one of the videos that lasts 59 seconds shows the presence of a penjor. The Regional Office of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights (Kanwil Kemenkumham) Bali said that it has mobilized its staff. The head of the Bali Ministry of Law and Human Rights Regional Office, Jamaruli Manihuruk, said immigration officers were on the ground to check the information. "If they are found, they will immediately be secured and we will coordinate with related parties."
"Badung Regency Government: Southern Ring Road Will Increase Investment" from Antara Bali (Indonesian): The development of the Badung Southern Ring Road Public-Business Cooperation project aims to reduce the impact of congestion on several roads, and become an alternative road to tourism areas, while at the same time increasing investment, said Badung Regional Secretary, I Wayan Adi Arnawa. In addition to increasing tourist visits and Badung's regional income, the project is projected to facilitate connections between tourism destinations, and improve connectivity between regions in an effort to evenly distribute development in Badung.
Context: A story published in March explains that the project's budget is Rp.7.9 trillion, while Badung Regent Giri Prasta said "we hope that there will be a main road concept, [and lanes for] pedestrians and bicycles." The article also contains an image of the planned route and mentions the various project stages. The project is currently in the third stage: capacity building.
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Other Headlines
"Minister of Health: 'Black Fungus' Disease Does Not Yet Exist in Indonesia" from Antara Bali (Indonesian): Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin said the disease 'mucormycosis' or black fungus that poses a risk of infecting the respiratory tract of Covid-19 patients has not yet been detected. "That is in India. But we [don't have it] yet." General Chair of the Indonesian Lung Doctors Association, Agus Dwi Susanto, said many cases of black fungus are found as a deadly infection that appears in patients infected with coronavirus. "Patients infected have discoloration of the eyes and nose, blurred vision, chest pain, and difficulty breathing," he said. The Association is appealing to the public to be aware of the potential for black fungus, especially among those with Covid-19.
Vaccination Update
Jembrana: "Second Vaccination for Factory Employees" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Patrols
Gianyar: "Fulfilling Prokes, 24 Tourism Villages in Gianyar Can Open and Attract Tourists" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Economy & Infrastructure
"Inflation Remains Low Despite Ramadan, Idul Fitri Driving Demand for Food, Transportation" from The Jakarta Post: Indonesia’s inflation rate picked up in May both on an annual and monthly basis as prices of food commodities and transportation services rose during the country’s peak spending period of Ramadan and Idul Fitri. Consumer prices rose 0.32% in May, lifting annual inflation to 1.68%. While the monthly increase was higher than in May 2020, headline inflation remained unusually low, when compared with the 2.19% seen a year earlier. With people receiving religious holiday bonuses and spending more than usual because of Ramadan and Idul Fitri, May marked the highest level for both monthly and annual inflation so far this year. The food, beverages, and tobacco expenditure group contributed 0.10% points to monthly inflation, driven by higher prices of chicken, fresh fish, oranges, cooking oil, and beef. Some food items saw price decreases, such as red chili and bird’s eye chili.
More...
Nation: "Indonesian Trade Minister to Visit Russia to Bolster Trade Ties" from Antara
Nation: "Megawati Opens Space Research Opportunities With Russia" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Province: "600,000 Vehicles in Bali in Arrears in Taxes, Provincial Government Again Offers Amnesty" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Province: "April 2021, Bali's Export Value Dropped 6.74% Compared to March" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
Province: "Farmers Exchange Rate Dropped 0.20% in May 2021" from Bisnis Bali (Indonesian)
Denpasar: "Sales of Medical Masks Decreasing, Used to be 200 Boxes per Month Now Only 20" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian):
Badung: "Hotel Occupancy in Badung Still Below 30%" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Buleleng: "Commemoration of Pancasila in Tejakula Accompanied by Laying of Coral Tunnel" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Gianyar: "Attracting Investors to Gianyar, Regency Government Will Facilitate Licensing Services" from Bali Puspa News (Indonesian)
Karangasem: "Amed's Salt Sales Still Falling Due to Covid-19 Pandemic" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
Klungkung: "Drought Comes, Firefighters Monitoring Potential Land Fires in Nusa Penida" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
Lombok: "Three Big Events Ready to Be Held to Awakening NTB Tourism" from Suara Bali (Indonesian)
Education
"All Teachers in Tabanan Have Received First Vaccine Dose, PTM Plans Maturing" from Bali Post (Indonesian): In accordance with the Ministerial Decree 4 which requires teacher vaccination for face-to-face learning (PTM), Tabanan is starting to finalize its PTM plan for the new academic year that will begin this July. According to the Health and Education Office, all of Tabanan's approximately 4,900 teachers have received the first dose. Chairman of Commission IV DPRD Tabanan, I Gusti Komang Wastana, whose party held a working meeting to coordinate various preparations for PTM, said, "Everyone hopes that PTM can start soon, because children's education has not been optimal for more than a year. Of course, the safety of children's health must be maintained."
More...
Nation: "Government Launches Face-to-face School Guide" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Jembrana: "Covid-19 Slopes, Jembrana Targets Face-to-Face in July" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
"Indonesia Received 127,510 Foreign Tourists in April 2021: BPS" from Antara: The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that the number of foreign tourist arrivals in Indonesia reached 127,510 in April 2021, down from 158,070 visits during the same period last year. Of the total number of tourist arrivals, 18,400 came by air, 35,940 by sea, and 73,170 by means of land transportation. Foreign tourist arrivals at the Soekarno-Hatta Airport went up by 52.41% from that in March 2021, followed by foreign tourist visits at the Juanda Airport, East Java, which increased by 107.69%, and climbed by 6.84% at the Sam Ratulangi Airport, North Sulawesi. During January-April 2021, the number of foreign tourist visits reached 511,440, or a sharp decline of 81.78%, as compared to 2.81 million foreign tourist visits during the same period in 2020.
Context: As Indonesia has still not ended its suspension on foreign tourist arrivals, the use of the term 'tourist' here is somewhat misleading. A more accurate term would be 'foreign nationals,' who are entering with any of the other visa categories that are currently permitted.
"Government Seeks Up to $125 Billion in Loans to Modernize Military" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall): The Defense Ministry is set to embark on a multibillion dollar shopping spree to modernize the country’s aging defense equipment in a new 25-year defense procurement plan, a draft presidential regulation reveals. But lacking transparency has once again overshadowed the ministry’s plans to bolster Indonesia’s defense system, with military experts flagging possible conflicts of interest. The move comes amid renewed calls to replace old military vehicles out of safety concerns, following the tragic sinking of 44-year-old submarine KRI Nanggala-402 during a military exercise in April, which claimed the lives of all 53 sailors on board.
"EU Seeks Tighter Bond With Indonesia in New ‘Center of Gravity’: Top Diplomat" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall): The Indo-Pacific region will be the new “center of gravity” for the 21st century, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell exclaimed, as he kicked off his visit to Jakarta this week amid lasting tensions on palm oil. Borrell was in Jakarta for a string of meetings with Indonesian officials, which included a courtesy call on President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. He also met with officials from the ASEAN Secretariat. “The history of mankind of the 21st century will be written in the Indo-Pacific area. We have to be aware of that. We have to be aware that the center of gravity of the world is no longer in the middle of Europe; it is here in the [...] so-called Indo-Pacific.”
"Foreigner Pays Ngurah Rai Airport Parking Fee of Rp.9.6 Million, Management Justifies 2 Months Fee" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian): Social media was shocked by a foreigner who claimed in an Instagram post that they had to pay a fee for parking at Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport reaching Rp. 9.6 million. In the post, @doyoutravel uploaded a video and proof of the parking fee receipt. The fee is for car parking services for 2 months, entering on April 1, 2021 and exiting on June 1, 2021. This was confirmed by Stakeholder Relations Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport Branch Office, Bali, Taufan Yudhistira. Regarding the social media upload in question, whether Angkasa Pura I will call the foreigner to ask for clarification, or to provide an explanation of the parking fee, Taufan said that it would still be discussed what steps his party would take against the person concerned.
Of Interest
"Indonesians Outraged by Soap Opera Normalizing Pedophilia, Polygamy" from Coconuts Jakarta
"Artists Continue Paying Tribute to Victims of Nanggala Disaster" from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
"Governor Koster Wants All Villages to Hold Bung Karno Month" from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
"Wild Racing Arena Raid, Police Seize Two Riders and 42 Motorcycles" from Radar Bali (Indonesian)
"Four Days Lost, Fisherman Who Drowned Found Floating on Beach" from Bali Prawara (Indonesian)
"Waiting for Order at Restaurant, Ojol Driver Beaten" from Bali Post (Indonesian)
"Video of the Impact of the Pandemic, Tourist Attractions in Bali Turned into Goat Farms" from iNews Bali (Indonesian)
"Want Pre-wedding Photos at Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport Area? You Can, Here's the Information" from Tribun Bali (Indonesian)
How You Can Help
In response to the collapse of the tourism sector in Bali and the resulting economic crisis, dozens of individuals and organizations have sprung into action, raising funds and distributing badly needed food and everyday essentials to the innumerable families who have suddenly found themselves without any source of income. We've been making an effort to document and raise awareness of these efforts. We will add information on projects in this space as we are able to confirm them. If you'd like to see a list of the efforts that we've featured so far and contribute to them with either time or money, visit our complete list here. You can also see a list of projects that have registered themselves at BaliSolidarity.org. If you know of an effort and would like to have them listed, please send their information to TheBaliBeat@outlanders.global.
About This Newsletter
This newsletter is a product of Migration Media, the hub for stories from and about the international migrant experience.
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