Bali Tourism News

Bali To Keep Its Doors Open To Malaysians

September 7th, 2007

By Mohd Nasir Yusoff

KUTA (Bali), Sept 5 (Bernama) — The administrators of Bali have vowed to continue welcoming Malaysians to the island resort despite reports of anti-Malaysia sentiments in some other parts of Indonesia.

The governor of Bali, Dewa Beratha, said Malaysia, which contributes the largest number of visitors to the island among Asean countries, remained a friend of Bali.

Besides tourism, an increasing number of Malaysian parents were sending their children to pursue medicine at Udhayana University, he said at a gathering to mark Malaysia’s 50th Independence Day and commemorate 50 years of diplomatic relations between Malaysia and Indonesia here today.

The governor was represented by MP Sihombing, a high-ranking government officer on the island.

Despite threats of protests, the event at the Alam Kulkul Resort, which also houses the office of Malaysian Consul-General Feisol Hashim, went on smoothly.

Present were Malaysian ambassador to Indonesia Datuk Zainal Abidin Mohamed Zain, Feisol as well as senior government, military and police officials of Bali.

Feisol said the fact that the demonstration did not materialise showed that the people of Bali were not easily influenced by anti-Malaysia issues highlighted by people with vested interests.

Kuta village chief, Dr I Gede Wijaya, told Bernama that local authorities always strived to ensure security for tourists, including those from Malaysia.

Meanwhile, student Alan Abdul Rahman confirmed that he and other Malaysian students had never been intimidated by any resident of Bali following claims that an Indonesian karate umpire had been assaulted in Malaysia.

Source: http://www.bernama.com.my/

Entry Filed under: Bali Tourism News