Police General I Made Mangku Pastika, the former police chief of Bali who identified, busted, and thrown to jail terrorists operatives involved in the first Bali bomb is now believed by many will win the next local election campaign, taking him into the position of next Governor of Bali.

Pastika beliefs that being one of the most sought after holiday destination where thousands of Western residents and visitors, Bali remains the prime terrorist target. “The terrorists still consider Bali is the best place to do their activity and send a message to the world,” he said.

Therefore his campaign vows in implementation of tight security in Bali. “Bali is very much dependent on tourism and tourism needs security, safety and in all facilities, hotels, tourist attractions and all those things” General Pastika said. “A comprehensive, international security system was essential, including closed circuit television cameras in tourist areas” he continued.

His comment seems addressed to ease pressure on Australia to lift its warning against travel to Indonesia, which so far remains the biggest barriers in improving bilateral relationship between the two neighboring country.  “Australia should not be blamed for its policy to warn their citizen not to visit an area which it beliefs to be potential terrorist attack” he said. “It’s one of the jobs [of government] to protect their people … we need to increase our security standard to match theirs” he added to complement the subject with his campaign for governorship.

Despite of his assessment on current security issue, he encourages Australians to return to Bali. “If we are scared of terrorism they win; that’s exactly their objective is: spread fears; that’s why I appeal to all the people from all over the world; don’t be scared of terrorism, just come.”