DENPASAR (indo.com): The Bali administration, authorities and people have given assurance that the Island of the Gods remains just as safe and enjoyable as ever, with daily life going on as normal. Separated from Java and other islands by sea, Bali is a deeply spiritual island and very different from the rest of Indonesia. The peace and harmony of the island remains a steadfast foundation of Balinese life, even when other areas are experiencing turmoil.

courtesy of travelpics.com

Bali Governor Dewa Made Beratha, Chief Commissioner of Police (Bali) Wenny Warouw and Bali Tourism Office Head I GDE Pitana share the conviction that no acts of sweeping against American or other foreign citizens can ever occur in Bali. "All components of Balinese society are unified in their opposition to such acts".

To ensure the continuing peace in Bali, the necessary measures with police and security authorities are in place, he confirmed.

The Governor and other local authorities were responding to the developments following the destruction of the World Trade Center in the United States, and the rumor of threatened large scale 'sweeping' actions against U.S. citizens in Indonesia by radical Moslem groups.

Rumors
Police Chief Commissioner Wenny Warouw said that the issue of "sweeping" by irresponsible groups "has so far been proved as nothing but rumors. We hope that such events never take place. The police - with the support of all people -have been doing their best to prevent any such acts from taking place. We have ordered intelligence agents to carry out surveillance of any actor or group that seems to be gearing up for sweeping."

He said that the Bali Police are currently performing investigations to clamp down on potential actions of anyone wishing to tarnish the island's world-wide reputation as a haven of peace. Americans and citizens of any other nation therefore need not worry should they wish to visit Bali.

Bali Tourism Office Head I GDE Pitana also pointed out that the relationship between local traditions, village life and the tourism industry meant that it was impossible for Anti-Western sentiment to gain any foothold in Bali. The Balinese are well aware of the economic necessity of maintaining a positive image and ensuring their facilities are of the highest possible standards for foreigners, and they are fiercely protective of their guests. "The people of Bali - whether they are Hindus, Moslems, Christians or Buddhists, all understand that tourism plays a central role in improving the quality of their lives. With this understanding, any activities or actions that could disturb Bali's tourism industry will be rejected by the community," he confirmed.

He also said that many Moslem leaders together with the majority of Balinese Moslems "strongly oppose any 'sweeping' activities that could disturb public peace and disrupt tourist activities in Bali."

He affirmed that 'sweeping' represents a violation of law, since "such activities remain the exclusive right of our law enforcement authorities, who will deal decisively with anyone attempting to take the law into their own hands."

Locals' determination to keep Bali peaceful and stable was reinforced on Tuesday when at least 800 Balinese staged a rally expressing their strong disapproval at the sweeping of foreign citizens. They are committed to assisting local security authorities if any third party tries to disturb the peace, harmony and comfort in Bali.

Earlier, Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Jalil strongly emphasized that all foreigners in Indonesia, especially US citizens, will receive protection from any possible attacks by Islamic extremists. Moreover, the minister has affirmed that it is the responsibility of the government of Indonesia to protect all foreign individuals living in Indonesia.

In Yogyakarta, local Governor Sri Sultan Hamengku Buwana IX has reiterated the need to keep Yogyakarta a safe place, guaranteeing the safety of all foreign visitors. Acts of sweeping will never occur in Yogya, the Governor said. He explained that the local administration had coordinated with local police to prevent any such activities.

Rhetoric
Minister of Foreign Affairs Hassan Wirajuda has told the US Government that no American citizens in Indonesia had received physical threats from Indonesians. "The threats remain pure rhetoric," he said.

He said that in response to the threats the police had increased the number of personnel to safeguard the American Embassy and American citizens.

Following her two-week visit to the United States and Japan, President Megawati Soekarnoputri called on the Indonesian people everywhere not to threaten foreigners. "They are our guests," she told reporters in Jakarta.

In a related development, the government warned radical organizations not to carry out their threats to harm Americans or other foreigners if an attack on Afghanistan materialized. The government would also take resolute actions against persons or groups that conducted "sweeps" against foreigners. The warning came after a cabinet meeting led by President Megawati Soekarnoputri.