Buleleng North Bali Airport plans opposed by village community

Beritabali.com reports that the chairman of the Special Planning Commission for the Provincial Zoning in Bali (RTRW-Bali), Anak Agung Ngurah Adhi Ardhana, announced that, after years of debate, the Village of Sumberklampok, in the Gerokgak District of Buleleng Regency has been selected as the location for a Buleleng North Bali Airport.

The location for the proposed new airport mow forms a part of the Provincial Zoning and Development Plan for Bali for the period 2022-2042.

Bali Governor Wayan Koster confirmed the Sumberklampok location based on a letter from the Ministry of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning and the National Land Agency (BPN) sent on 15 January 2022 (Nomor PF.01/ 08-200/ I/ 2021 tanggal 15 Januari 2021).

The chairman of the special commission appointed to create a 20-year zoning plan, Adhi Ardhana, reminded that the final confirmation of the location for the north Bali airport remains in the sole authority of the Ministry of Transportation.

The final go-ahead in the construction and location of a major airport in North Bali remains bogged down by numerous regulations and inter-agency disputes.

North Bali Airport Plans – On 28 April 2022, a letter from the National Secretariat (B.0203/Seskab/Ekon/04/2022) was sent to Bali’s Governor Wayan Koster that contained an attachment containing specific guidance from President Joko Widodo calling for work on an airport in northeast Bali (Kubutambahan) be halted because the airport location has now been shifted to a new location in northwest Bali.

This was preceded by a letter (PB.01/ 369-II-200/ VIII/ 2021) sent on 04 August 2021 from the Minister of Agrarian Affairs and the head of the National Land Agency (BTN) to Governor Koster recommending specific changes in the Provincial Zoning and Spatial Plan (RTRW – Bali).

Ardhana also explains that the relocation of the proposed airport must also contemplate issues related to the conservation of a protected National Forest. Ardhana confirmed that a letter (Nomor S.127/ PKTL/KUH/PLA.2/ 2/ 2021) was sent on 08 February 2021 from the Director-General of Forestry Planning from the Ministry of the Environment and Forestry (KLHK) addressing issues related to the infringement of the new airport on the National Park.

Ardhana, quoted by Detik.com, explained: “Because the land sought for the North Bali Airport is dry and non-productive. Thus, regarding environmental impact and other factors, the area’s zoning is still under review.”

Buleleng North Bali Airport – Community Opposition to New Airport Location

Buleleng Regency community members have formed a group called the Forum for North Bali Progress (Fobatama) is voicing its adamant opposition to plans to build the airport in Sumberklampok.

Fobatama, with members drawn from diverse sectors of the community, is suggesting that “certain parties” meddled in the selection of the new location for the airport in their community,

Antonius Sanjaya, a member of Fobatama, warns that if officials force the construction of the new airport in Sumberklampok, they will face various obstacles. In addition to the natural limitations of the proposed location, there are also problems caused by the infringement by the airport on segments of the West Bali National Park (TNBB) and the Park’s central role in the conservation of the endangered Bali Starling population.

“We reject plans to move the planned North Bali Airport and the revision of Provincial Regulation Number 3 of 2020 governing the relocation of the proposed air gateway from the Village of Kubutambahan to Sumberklampok. We are firm in rejecting the proposed location, which is not following the Presidential Decree on developing national strategic projects,” Anton said on 20 July 2022.

North Bali Airport Plans – Anton Sanjaya also serves as the chairman of the executive board of the non-governmental organization Gema Nusantara, warns that relocating the airport to Sumberklampok violates the law.

The location of the new airport at Sumberklampok is only 40 km from the Belimbing International Airport in Banyuwangi, East Java.

 

Deal for Bali Paramount Picture Theme Park

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The creation of the Paramount Theme Park in Bali made significant progress on Tuesday, 26 July 2020, with the signing of a development (construction) agreement between PT Kios Ria Kreasi and Paramount Pictures (USA) in an online ceremony. The signing was supplemental to an earlier Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two companies.

(Main Article: North Bali Airport Plans) As reported by NusaBali.com and Kompas.com, the online signing of the agreement is needed to commence project construction. The event was attended by representatives of the two companies and witnessed by the Regent of Jembrana, I Nengah Tamba; the Minister of Tourism and the Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno; and the Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster.

Regent Tamba told the press: “Today is a historic date for the Regency of Jembrana. On this day, in Los Angeles, USA, a signing took the place of an agreement between PT Kio Ria Kreasi and Paramount Pictures.”

The Regent of Jembrana, I Nengah Tamba (left), accompanied by the Regency Secretary, I Made Budiasa, participating in the online signing ceremony between PT Kios Ria Kreasi and Paramount Pictures for Bali Theme Park.

Tamba continued, saying the signing affirmed that we will now achieve Jembrana’s desire to become home to an international-standard entertainment attraction with the construction of the Paramount Theme Park Bali.

(Main Article: Buleleng North Bali Airport) When completed, Tamba said the Paramount Theme Park Bali would become the largest theme park in Southeast Asia, a magnet for international tourists to Jembrana. He added that this significant development in the tourism sector would enhance the Jembrana region’s economy.

Tamba said: “God willing, we continue to pray (for success). We welcome this project because it will bring extraordinary change to the income, progress, and performance of the Regency of Jembrana.

 

Blaze on Gili Trawangan

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A massive fire on Saturday night, 30 July 2022, damaged 94 buildings on Gili Trawangan, leveling at least 49 tourist villas.

Gili Trawangan, the largest in a group of three small offshore islands situated northwest of Lombok, measures some 3 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide and is home to a population of approximately 800 residents comprised of island residents and tourists.

Gili Trawangan is a popular island party destination supported by an extensive collection of beachside restaurants, bars, and hotels. The island has a “no vehicle policy,” with transportation provided via rented bicycles and local horse carriages (cidomo).

(Main Article: North Bali Airport Plans) Saturday night’s fire began shortly after sunset at 6:30 pm at the Hotel Jambuluwuk, spreading quickly to the nearby Eden Homestay. The fire made quick work of many buildings primarily constructed of wood, thatched roofs, bamboo, and other natural materials.

Guests were safely evacuation, and no injuries have been reported. Because the island has no formal fire department, residents formed makeshift fire brigades using buckets filled with water, fire extinguishers, and scooped water from swimming pools.

Beritabali.com reports that police continue to investigate the incident.

 

Bio Security Controls for Bali Travelers from OZ

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The Australian federal government is urgently introducing strict new biosecurity precautions at Australian airports to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) from Indonesia, which is experiencing an outbreak across a wide geographical area.

As reported by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), “bio security response zones” are being introduced at Australia’s international airports where every traveler arriving from Indonesia must use specially-designed foot mats and undertake bio security measures that include the thorough disinfection of footwear and clothing.

These measures represent a sterner upgrade from the recent past, where travelers from Indonesia were asked to voluntarily submit to using foot mats and momentarily surrender their shoes for cleaning.

The new measures at the Australian airports are mandatory for a three-month trial period and only apply to travelers arriving from Indonesia. The force of law for these measures is mandated under Australia’s 2015 Bio security Act.

(Main Article: North Bali Airport Plans) Australia’s Federal Agriculture Minister Murray Wyatt is defending the new and strongest bio security measures in Australia’s history as necessary to protect the public and animal health.

Viral traces of FMD have been identified in Australia.

Senator Wyatt told the ABC: “We have already announced a $14 million assistance package to reduce the risk of FMD spreading from Bali to Australia, which includes increased detection and protection here in Australia and a million vaccines for the Indonesian cattle industry.” Adding: “I also announced the deployment of sanitation foot mats at all international airports as an additional layer of protection for returning travelers from Indonesia.”

The mats are now being urgently introduced at airports nationwide in Australia.

The worsening crisis of FMD has precipitated demands from opposition members, including National Party legislator David Littleproud, to close the borders between Indonesia and Australia. Littleproud is a former Australian Agriculture Minister.

(Main Article: Buleleng North Bali Airport) The ruling party in Australia and the National Farmers Federation have dismissed any proposal to close the borders between the two countries. The president of the National Farmers Federation, Fiona Simson, says, “Our members do not support the closing of borders. It would put at risk a trade that is very valuable.”

While viral traces of FMD have been identified in meat products in Melbourne and Adelaide, Australia remains FMD-free.

Fiona Simson warns: “If even one case was to emerge in Australia, farmers would be faced with heart-wrenching decisions around the extermination, culling, and euthanizing of livestock to stop the spread of the disease. “It would shut the export markets immediately — so our meat, our wool, our cheese, our dairy products — they would all be halted immediately,” she said. Adding: “We cannot allow this to happen.”

Australian officials assure that Australian meat and dairy products remain safe to consume.

 

Sanur Beach: A Special Economic Zone

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The long-standing proposal that the Sanur Beach area of Bali become a Special Economic Zone (KEK) has received the agreement of the National KEK Council chaired by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy. Airlangga Hartanto, at a meeting of the Council held on Friday, 22 July 2022.

It is now expected that the National KEK Council will recommend to the Indonesian President that government regulations be promulgated to support a Special Economic Zone status for Sanur Beach.

(Main Article: Buleleng North Bali Airport) Quoted by Balipost.com, Minister Airlangga said in a written statement, “With this (recommendation), the National KEK Council agrees with the proposal to create a special economic zone in Sanur and (the government) will soon finalize this fact in a Government Regulation embracing a KEK Sanur.”

Establishing a special economic zone in Sanur, Bali will be home to Indonesia’s first integrated medical health facility.

Airlangga said he hoped this development would save Indonesia’s foreign exchange while enhancing the national economy by transferring knowledge and technology from establishing a world-class medical campus in Sanur.

Airlangga said that creating a Special Economic Zone in Sanur will create a demand for human resources and stimulate new investment. By 2030, the Minister hopes that the segment of between 4% to 8% of the Indonesian public, representing between 123,000 to 240,000 people now seeking medical treatment overseas, will be able to seek medical care in Sanur. Projected through 2045, the total foreign exchange savings will equal Rp. 86 trillion and generate 19.6 trillion in additional foreign exchange for the National Economy.

(Main Article: North Bali Airport Plans) The special economic zone established in Sanur will showcase medical and tourism projects, including hospitals, clinics, hotel accommodation, an ethnomedicinal botanical garden, MICE facilities (meeting, incentive, conference, and exhibition), and a commercial center. The total land area projected for the KEK Sanur is 41.26 hectares, with investments worth Rp. 10.2 trillion.

43,647 jobs are expected to be created by the Special Economic Zone.

At the center of the Sanur Special Economic Zone is the Bali International Hospital, now being built in Sanur in cooperation with the prestigious USA Mayo Clinic.

The Indonesian government seeks to stimulate national economic development by establishing special zones themed in various sectors, including digital enterprises, maintenance-repair-and-overhaul (MRO), education, and health.

 

Indonesia Remains Free of Monkey Pox

(Main Article: Buleleng North Bali Airport)
On Saturday, 23 July 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the monkey pox epidemic a global medical emergency.

The Director-General of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has described the spread of monkey pox to more than 70 countries as an extraordinary situation qualifying as a global emergency.

In an unprecedented move, the WHO has declared a global emergency to sound an alarm and help coordinate an international response and make available funding for vaccines and care protocols to prevent the further spread of the disease.

(Main Article: Buleleng North Bali Airport) The WHO reports that monkey pox is a viral zoonosis (a virus transmitted from animals to humans). Contagion comes from close contact with an infected animal or human being through lesions, body fluids, respiratory droplets, and contaminated materials, such as bedding. With a fatality rate of 3-6%, monkey pox is self-limiting, with symptoms usually lasting for 2-4 weeks. Symptoms resemble smallpox – a disease eradicated globally in 1980, presenting clinically with fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes.

Meanwhile, a spokesman for the Indonesian Ministry of Health, Mohammad Syahril, announced on Sunday, 24 July 2022, that there had been no confirmed cases of monkey pox in Indonesia.

Syahril said that the Government is vigilantly following developments with the global outbreak of monkey pox to prepare a national response to prevent the spread of the disease to Indonesia. Adding: “At airports, seaports, and land borders – we are on alert towards humans and animals that can cause the spread of monkey pox.”

 

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