This week Bali welcomes back Wayan Koster for his second term as provincial governor.
As part of his first week back in his post, Governor Koster has been talking to the media about his plans for the next five years. One big topic of conversation has been that of tackling crime on the popular vacation island.
Speaking to reporters Governor Wayan Koster has confirmed that he plans to give more authoritative power to Traditional Villages in Bali, to help empower local communities to prevent and tackle crime.
Known as the Customary Village Based Environmental Security System, or in Balinese the Sipandu Beradat, Governor Koster wants to strengthen the role this network plays, starting in Denpasar City.
Governor Koster referenced several recent high-profile criminal cases in the provincial capital, including crimes resulting in fatalities. He told reporters “Denpasar must strengthen the implementation of the integrated environmental security system based on the traditional villages, to reactivate the environmental security system, integrated with Sipandu Beradat to improve security in the Denpasar area considering that there has been an increase in crimes that have claimed the lives of Denpasar residents.”
He added, “To maintain order, security, and comfort for the people of Denpasar and various actions that damage Balinese cultural values and violate the law, we together with the security forces ensure that we will take strong and firm action.”
The rising crime rates across Bali have become a hot topic of conversation within local Balinese communities and the international community on the island of late. Reports of assaults on female tourists and ex-pats have been publicly documented by online citizen journalism groups such as the Canggu Community.
Reports of theft and aggravated robberies have also hit headlines in recent months, as well as reports of brawls between beach club security teams and tourists.
Governor Koster is as clear as ever that he wants to see traditional Balinese values adhered to across Bali, whether that be within the daily life of local communities, within the crime and justice sector, or within tourism spaces.
He told reporters “The success of the first momentum of development in the next five years will be the foundation that determines the success and sustainability of civilization and the future of the next generation of Bali for the next 100 years and even throughout time.”
In light of recent reports of robberies targeted at tourists in top resorts such as Kuta, police in Bali have issued updated safety advice.
Chief of Police of Kuta, AKP Agus Riwayanto Diputra last week confirmed the arrest of a 20-year-old Balinese man in connection with an aggravated robbery of an Indian tourist back in January. The robbery took place on Tegal Wangi Street, and the man in question approached the tourist while she was walking along the sidewalk around 9 pm at night.
AKP Dipurta told reporters “The suspect forcibly pulled a gold necklace containing a 22-carat pendant weighing 6 grams worth AUD 360, which was worn by the victim until it broke off.”
The police chief warned tourists to be extra mindful of the belongings they take with them when walking in Bali’s top resort areas where opportunistic thieves are known to operate. He warned, “Tourists are urged to be careful, do not give the perpetrator a chance.”
The issue of crime and violence in Bali’s top tourism resorts has been addressed by top Indonesian Ministers.
Speaking to reporters about the brawl that took place between security officers and tourists outside Finns Beach Club in Canggu, Deputy Tourism Minister Ni Luh Puspa, issued her full support for Bali Police, and pledged to ensure stricter law enforcement across the board, to help protect Bali residents and tourists against violent crime.
She told reporters “This [kind of behavior] has entered the criminal realm, of course, we support the police including the local government, of course, the steps of law enforcement need to be strengthened again.”
The Minister confirmed that she and her teams are reviewing dozens of policies to assess where amendments must be made to improve public safety.
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