Governor Beratha Calls on Karangasem’s Regent to Revoke Enabling Regulation and Halt ‘Chateau de Bali’ Project.
With controversy brewing regarding villa projects built in violation of zoning and environmental rules on Uluwatu and Kerambitan Beach, a separate imbroglio is now underway on Bukit Mimba near the east coast port of Padang Bai.
In the latest development, Bali’s outgoing Governor Made Beratha has ordered the Regent of Karangasem, Geredeg, to revoke his own regulation that is allowing the construction of a 5-star luxury resort Chateau de Bali on a 75.9 hectare site.
In the view of Bali’s Governor, the enabling legislation issued by the Regent is invalid because it is at variance with pre-imminent provincial zoning regulations which must take legal precedence.
Reports published in Bali Post contend that the project approved by the Regent enjoys widespread public support in Karangasem, despite alleged infringements on sacred grounds surrounding a local Hindu temple and overbuilding of an area formerly protected as a “green zone.” The newspaper reports that the hotels project’s developer has pledged to source 80% of the jobs generated by the hotels from local residents.
The situation in Karangasem has arrived at something of an “executive impasse.” Will the Regent of Karangasem accede to the Governor’s order, effectively outlawing a major investment project well into its construction phase? If the Regent refuses to revoke his ruling what, if any, action will Governor Beratha take with less than 2 weeks left in office? What legal recourse do the developers have if they suddenly find their project is suddenly illegal?
The polemic is only likely to intensify further was signaled by additional coverage in the Bali Post on Saturday, July 19th, where the Regent of Karangasem stated his regulation “pre-dated” the provincial law and was therefore, exempt from having to accede to the Governor’s request. Geredeg’s defiance has been greeted on the provincial and national level with suggestions that the Regent is leaving himself exposed to criminal prosecution and a possible prison term of up to 5 years.
Source: http://www.balidiscovery.com/
July 21st, 2008
Mark Forbes, Denpasar
A TAIWANESE fishing boat whose captain is feared killed has run aground on Bali’s best surf break, disrupting plans for the world surfing championship to return to the island.
Mystery surrounds the arrival of the Ho Tsai Fa No. 18 off Padang Padang beach. Locals woke on Saturday to see the 30-metre vessel floundering on a reef. Looters emptied the holds of tuna and shark, believed to have been caught illegally.
In May, Greenpeace activists had intercepted the ship illegally fishing with long lines in the Pacific.
Police are trying to find the boat’s Indonesian crew and Taiwanese captain, Tsai Wen-chen. Taiwanese authorities sought Indonesia’s help to find the boat several weeks ago, after it failed to return from fishing off Papua.
Three weeks ago another Taiwanese fishing boat saw the Ho Tsai Fa No. 18, but it sped away when approached, prompting concern it was controlled by a mutinous crew.
Fishery officials said the vessel’s monitoring system had been turned off since May 13 and it had ignored radio contact.
Several Balinese claimed the dozen Indonesian crewmen had thrown their captain overboard and attempted to return home, but had lost control approaching Bali and fled after the vessel ran aground.
Police commissioner Sutrisna, head of the Central Java coast guard, said it was searching for crew members. He would not comment on claims the captain had been killed.
“We have just found the ship, we cannot say or conclude anything till we investigate further,” Mr Sutrisna said.
Bali coast guard chief Oka Eswara said attempts to refloat the vessel had been foiled by the weather and tides. “We have notified the Taiwanese embassy to assist, but we simply have to wait till the weather permits,” he said.
The men’s world surfing tour was due to return to Bali, after an 11-year absence, at the end of the month. Organisers had not officially announced the venue of the sixth leg of the world championship for security reasons.
The shipwreck is already disrupting the Rip Curl Cup, the Indonesian championship, due to be held at Padang Padang this week. Rip Curl South Asia chief executive Jeff Anderson also raised environmental concerns.
“We are in touch with the local authorities, pushing for the vessel to be removed before it turns into a potential disaster zone when the next big swell hits on Friday,” he said.
Source: http://www.theage.com.au/
July 21st, 2008