Bali Governor, I Wayan Koster has asked tourism businesses to stop creating petitions and submitting them to the president of Indonesia.
34 Bali tourism organizations have sent a petition to the Indonesian President to revise the current travel and entry requirements for international visitors. The petition comes as part of the effort to revive the Bali economy from the crisis that occurred when the central government closed the border to international travelers in March of 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic.
In response response, Governor Koster asked the Bali Senators to contact the tourism businesses and stop their petition.
“I hope our Senators can educate our businesses, as this petition won’t solve any problems. I have been working hard to handle this pandemic so our economy could recover.” Koster said during a meeting on Monday (22/11).
Bali hasn’t received any reservations from international visitors. Koster explained that the selected countries have had issues with Covid-19 and their governments have enforced travel restrictions on their residents. The Governor added that Bali has been receiving a large amount of support from central government in handling Covid-19 transmission.
“The Central government has provided everything that our people need to handle this pandemic. The current situation makes it impossible to ease our entry requirements based on the demand of tourism operators” Koster concluded.
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Steven
Tuesday 30th of November 2021
“The Central government has provided everything that our people need to handle this pandemic". Erm how about financial support for everbody who have lost their jobs and are really struggling. You shouldn't insult peoples intelligence by making such statements. I never saw a beggar before the pandemic and now they are everywhere. The local population needs help, especially the low paid workers that have lost their jobs. They were already only just about getting by, now they are struggling to feed themselves. Goverment run kitchens located across indonesia feeding the hungry would also help.
Don Juan
Monday 29th of November 2021
How about they get rid of the "vaccine requirement" for vaccines that do not work as well as the quarantines?
Negative PCR or Rapid test is all that should be required.
This will bring back tourism. Most know this is a plandemic and are not worried about Covid cases.
Safia
Sunday 28th of November 2021
I'm also starting to wonder whether there is another agenda being pursued. Are they trying to cut off oxygen to Bali so they can make the case that Indonesia should focus more on Halal travel? That would fit into this strange prejudice against 'backpackers'. Maybe they want to encourage high-end Halal travel (ie travellers from wealthy Middle Eastern countries) over the 'immoral riff raff' that seem to think Bali attracts. It's all a bit strange and confounding. But I am starting to wonder, given that the Balinese governor is not even advocating for the interests of his own constituency but rather sides with the out-of-touch Jakarta political clique. Are they trying to kill off Bali for good?
Randy
Monday 29th of November 2021
@Safia, everything you have written has no substantial proof what the central government or the local Governor has in mind. Therefore the whole idea smells of bigotry and racism that have no place in Bali and beyond. Hate stops here.
Your mentality only revolves your own self and others who are not able to enter as if their economic situation fare better than the Indonesians who actually have managed to control the covid situation and assessed as a level 1 "low risk" by the US CDC.
Furthermore the Omicron first identified in South Africa will add more travel restrictions around the world including Indonesia. Furthermore Indonesia has now added 7 days for anyone entering Indonesia instead of the previous 3 days and two nights of quarantine. Sighs.
Paul Morris
Sunday 28th of November 2021
What an incredible statement by the Governor that the central government has been giving large amounts of support during the pandemic if that is the case where has all the so called support disappeared to because it certainly has gone to the Balinese. March 2020 at the start of the pandemic our friends received a tray of eggs, 4 litres of cooking oil and a dozen yams and that is all they have received in nearly 20 months if not for our support I hate to think what would have happened to them so Governor it’s on your conscious that you have deserted your own people in their time of need, Australia gave the Indonesian government $1.3 billion at the start of the pandemic where has the money disappeared to.
Paul Morris
Thursday 2nd of December 2021
@Randy, Your right about Suharto being out of the picture but there are plenty of crooks who have taken his place, over the last 20 months there have been government ministers and local officials who have been jailed for embezzlement of money supposed to go to the local people an article in the Bali sun a couple of weeks ago had a government minister saying that $32 million USD had not been distributed to the Balinese people which is an absolute disgrace considering that over 80% of the Balinese people have had NO work since April 2020 where do you think this money will end up not in the pockets of the people who need it to survive.
Randy
Wednesday 1st of December 2021
@Paul Morris, but since Suharto is out of the picture there is every reason Indonesia has repaid the loan slowly not only to Australia but other countries like the US and Japan for example. Should Indonesia default on any loan, the local economy would have an impact. The currency would be meaningless. Indonesia may be the rich with their abundant natural resources that enable them to use those resources for export.
Randy
Wednesday 1st of December 2021
@Paul Morris, fair enough but the whole of Indonesia have suffered under the Suharto regime and not only the Balinese folks though.
Paul Morris
Tuesday 30th of November 2021
@Randy, A loan that will never be repaid just like in the 1990’s when the Asian financial crisis happened ( not sure if you are old enough to remember this) the Australian government gave the Indonesian government $1 billion as a loan to stave off collapse, the Suharto regime was in government at the time and the money disappeared into thin air not $1 reached the Balinese people just like now what a coincidence history does repeat itself where large sums of money are involved.
Randy
Monday 29th of November 2021
@Paul Morris, a loan and giving out are two different meanings, may I say so.
According to a report in the Australian newspaper, the LOAN is intended as a goodwill gesture that will help forestall a serious financial crisis in Southeast Asia's largest economy and to aid Covid-19 recovery. This standby loan was on the table back in 2020. The Australian pledge of goodwill is to counteract Beijing's robust Covid-19 diplomacy.
Maureen Muntz
Saturday 27th of November 2021
Cant you see its all about getting as much money from us , this visa is crazy, and qarantine , its about money dont go there ,there are better places to spend your money