Bali - religious protest against new tourist spot

Numerous Hindu high priests and community leaders have strongly rejected the central government’s plan to include Besakih Temple and Gunung Agung, both in Karangasem regency in east Bali, in the development of national strategic tourism plan (KSPN).

Last Sunday was a high-level meeting of highly respected high priests, Pasamuhan Sabdha Pandita Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI), from which the priests issued a statement rejecting any idea of transforming the two sacred sites into the KSPN proposed by the government.

The PHDI urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry to revoke ministerial decree No. 50 issued in 2011 on the inclusion of Besakih and Gunung. Agung as KSPN for the 2010-2025 period. The PHDI also asked the provincial administration to retain the sacred site status of Besakih Temple and Gunung Agung as per bylaw No. 16/2009. Five of the most influential high priests signed the statement.

Believed to have been built in prehistoric times, Besakih is the mother temple and largest and most holy worship place for Balinese Hindus. It was built 1,000 meters up the slope of Gunung Agung, a mountain deemed holy by the Balinese. Gunung Agung and Besakih are Huluning Jagat Bali — the center of the universe for Balinese Hindus. It is the center of the godly power that protects Bali and its people. It will deeply affect the very soul of the Balinese Hindus.

The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry had previously designated several places in Bali as part of the KSPN, including Besakih and Gunung Agung in Karangasem; Kintamani and Lake Batur in Bangli; Pemuteran and Menjangan island in Buleleng as well as Sanur, Kuta and Nusa Dua resort areas.

A veteran tourism practitioner in Bali, warned the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry to be more sensitive in dealing with religious sites. Bali Governor Made Mangku Pastika had previously said that KSPN were central government programs. In the KSPN, he said, there were no specific words referring to Besakih Temple or Gunung Agung, just the development of Karangasem regency for spiritual tourism. “We, the provincial administration, have never proposed Besakih Temple and Gunung Agung be included in the KSPN,” Pastika insisted.

Jakarta is only interested in money, it seems they don't care about the unique Balinese Hindu religious sites!! Tanah Lot is a good example as a sort of religious Disneyland.

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