March 21, 2022
3,100 hectares of coastal rice fields in Tabanan slated for tourism development + Bali selected as host of World Water Forum 2024 + Jokowi congratulates all for a successful MotoGP + more
Good morning!
Welcome to The Bali Beat for Monday, March 21. In today’s edition, we have news that Tabanan is to change the status on over 3,000 hectares of coastal rice fields to allow for tourism development. In events news, Bali has won the right to host the 2024 World Water Forum while over in Lombok, President Jokowi congratulated all for pulling off the MotoGP. 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
Note: Bali’s daily cases continue to track downwards, with both new cases and the number of patients in treatment dropping. Deaths have been in single figures for almost ten days now.
The Big News
“3,100 Hectares of Coastal Rice Fields in Tabanan to Have Status Changed, Tourism Development Allowed” from Radar Bali (Indonesian): The Tabanan Regency Government plans to remove 3,100 hectares of rice fields generally located along the coast of the regency. Secretary of Commission I of the Dprd Tabanan I Gusti Nyoman Omardani said that thousands of hectares of rice fields were in real terms considered unproductive. He also revealed that the land was along the beach in Tabanan, from Nyanyi Beach in Kediri District to Soka in Selemadeg. Thousands of hectares of rice field status will also be changed in status due to the absence of permanent irrigation. "There are also buildings made by residents or others," he said. He also said the Tabanan Regency Government in accordance with the RTRW of Bali Province, will also develop tourism in the south coast area from Nyanyi Beach to Soka.
“Bali Selected as Host of World Water Forum 2024” from Tempo (Indonesian): Bali was selected as the host of the 10th World Water Forum (WWF) which will be held in 2024. The election was held at the 9th World Water Council Board of Governors meeting in Dakar, Senegal on March 19. Bali competed with Rome in the selection of the host of the 10th World Water Forum. To be elected, candidates must have the support of a simple majority, a minimum of 19 out of 36 votes. Bali was elected after gaining 30 votes in the election. The election of Bali is a form of international community confidence in Indonesia's leadership role and commitment in the issue of water management.
“Jokowi Congratulates All Parties for Successful MotoGP” from Tempo: Indonesian President Joko Widodo congratulated and thanked all parties involved for the successful MotoGP held from March 18-20. The President, who watched the MotoGP race from the special stands at the Mandalika Circuit on Sunday, specifically expressed his gratitude to NTB people and in particular, those in Lombok Island for their full support for this event. Miguel Oliveira won the race after 20 laps at the Mandalika Circuit with a time of 33 minutes 27.223 seconds. The President did not deny that there were some aspects in the event that need to be improved considering that Mandalika and Dorna Sports as MotoGP commercial rights holders have long-term cooperation contracts. "This is a long-term event and we will fix our flaws for next year. Most importantly, I want to congratulate everyone for their hard work. Congratulations!" he emphasized.
Context: Despite the best efforts of a rain handler, the race was marred by heavy rain. Lombok Airport saw a surge in traffic as attendees flocked to the island to see the race, and while extra flights have been put on (Indonesian) to get people home, there have been reports of attendees being stranded at the track until midnight due to a lack of buses (Indonesian). Minister Uno said the race should spark an economic and tourism revival.
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Other Headlines
“Cooking Oil Shortage; Trade Ministry Deemed to Favor Businessmen Than People” from Tempo: The House of Representatives (DPR) Deputy Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad criticized Trade Minister Muhammad Lutfi for revoking the regulation on the fixed retail price ceiling or HET for packaged cooking oil last Wednesday, March 16. “The rule revocation shows that the Trade Minister takes side with business players, rather than the people,” said Dasco on Friday. The Gerindra politician also questioned the ministry’s claim about the commodity surplus in Sumatra where in fact, the commodity was not available both in traditional and modern markets. “Our country is one of the world’s main producers of crude palm oil but why there is a shortage of cooking oil? The government must be firm against unscrupulous businessmen and issue policies that favor the people,” he said.
Vaccination Update
“Booster Vaccination Achievement in Bali Is 38%” from iNews Bali (Indonesian): Covid-19 booster vaccination in Bali Province has reached 38%. This number will continue to grow considering that the provincial government is currently boosting the vaccination. Acting Head of Bali Health Office Made Rentin said, until now the achievement of the third vaccine has been as many as 1,169,676 people or 38.89% of the population of Bali. Denpasar city occupies the top position with the vaccination achievement of 227,152 people. Rentin added the booster vaccination push continues so that Bali can reach herd immunity. "This is important because this year Bali is hosting a number of international events, especially the G20 summit," he said.
More...
Nation: “Number of Booster Recipients Up by 530,547” from Antara
Nation: “10,280 Astrazeneca Vaccine Doses Expire in Kendari” from Antara
Health Protocols (Prokes) & Health Services
“86.6% of Indonesian Population Have Covid Antibodies Says Sero Survey” from The Jakarta Globe: A serological survey, taken from November to December 2021, suggested that 86.6% of people aged over one year old in Indonesia have developed antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Conducting the survey was the University of Indonesia’s Public Health School (FKM UI). FKM UI also partnered with the Health Ministry, Home Affairs Ministry, Eijkman, and Prodia. The survey analyzed 9,541 samples in 514 villages or urban wards in Indonesia’s agglomeration areas. The researchers also examined 10,960 samples from 580 villages or urban wards in non-agglomeration areas. “Having antibodies does not mean they will not get infected. They can still catch the virus. But the antibodies will greatly reduce risks of severe illness and death by SARS-CoV-2 or Covid-19,” Iwan Ariawan, an epidemiologist from FKM UI, said on Friday.
More...
Nation: “Government Pushes Reduction, Elimination of Mercury in Four Sectors” from Antara
Economy & Infrastructure
“Minister Urges Regional Food Task Force to Ensure Price Stability” from Antara: Minister of Home Affairs, Muhammad Tito Karnavian, has urged the regional food task force to take strategic steps to ensure food price stability. "Please start today; the food task force really (must hold) meetings to discuss food stability in their respective regions and take steps, both to meet supply and to ensure that the distribution of food is really smooth," Karnavian said on Friday. Food is a basic need of society, so if a problem occurs, it will have an impact on various aspects, such as politics, security, and other aspects. The increase in the prices of several food commodities must be followed up to ensure price stability, the minister said. "We ask the food task force to move, the main task of the food task force every day is to monitor the prices of nine basic commodities plus other important commodities," he said.
Context: In related news, domestic food producers may need to seek alternative sources of wheat imports as the war in Ukraine affects wheat purchases.
More...
Nation: “Indonesia Begins Electric Car Production With Hyundai Plant” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: “Indonesia Proposes $11b in Green Projects Amid Regulatory Issues” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall):
Nation: “US Pledges to Support Indonesia's Transition Toward Sustainable Energy” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: “Indonesia Raises Palm Oil Export Levies” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
Nation: “Village-owned Enterprises Must Not Drive Out Local Businesses” from Antara
Nation: “Digital Economy to Reach US$146 Billion in 2025 Says Minister” from Antara
Education
“How China Is Using Scholarships to Shape Indonesian Muslim Students’ Views” from The Conversation: China has expanded its soft-power clout in Indonesia in recent years to accompany its growing economic and political foothold in Indonesia. One of these endeavours is courting Muslim students, known as “Santri”, with scholarships. This is part of China’s ongoing efforts to maintain its positive image, while ensuring its policies on religion, including its mistreatment of the Uyghurs in Xinjiang, is seen from the perspective of China alone. China has been offering scholarships to Indonesians for years. However, the more active targeting of the Santri community is very recent. It follows the implementation of China’s Belt and Road Initiative and news about China’s discrimination against the Uyghurs, which has drawn criticism from many Indonesians. Many of these students are now writing in local media to promote the idea that “religious freedom” is ensured in China. They are associating the Xinjiang region, home to the Uyghurs, with insurgency as China does.
Bali Reopening
“Immigration Records 1,384 Foreigners Applying for VoA” from Nusa Bali (Indonesian): Since the enactment of visa on arrival (VoA) for foreign tourists who come on vacation to the Island of the Gods, Ngurah Rai Special Class I Immigration recorded that there have been 1,384 applications. VoA submissions are almost half of the total number of foreign tourists arriving at Indonesia's second busiest airport. Head of Ngurah Rai Immigration Office Class I Special Immigration Checkpoint, I Nyoman Gede Surya Mataram, said that since the VoA rules came into force on March 7, there have been 1,384 tourists applying. Asked about the origin of the country that made the most submissions, Surya Mataram admitted that the dominant ones were from Australia, America, Russia, England, and France. Stakeholder Relation Manager of PT Angkasa Pura I (Persero) I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport Taufan Yudhistira said from February 3 to March 16, the total number of international passengers through Ngurah Rai Airport reached 10,746 people. On international arrival routes during the period a total of 7,393 passengers were transported by 95 aircraft. While international departures reached 3,353 passengers transported by 93 aircraft.
More...
“Bali Reopens” from The Jakarta Post (Metered Paywall)
“Bali Deputy Governor: Develop Sustainable Tourism According to the Character of the Region” from Antara Bali (Indonesian)
Of Interest
“Balancing New Capital Development With Orangutan Habitat Preservation” from Antara
“Gaffes Trip Up Indonesian Religion Minister’s Push for Moderation” from Benar News
“8 Years in Bali With Visa Visit, Unemployed Aussie Detained” from Radar 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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