Bali News / Bali Travel and Holiday Updates

US Ambassador for Indonesia Cameron Hume met the elected future Governor of Bali Made Mangku Pastika at Secretariat of PDIP, political party bringing Pastika to win th election. During their meeting the Ambassador pay special attention to environment and education issues in Bali.

Pastika explained that Bali is currently facing serious threat in sufficient water supply caused by uncontrolled deforestation. “A lot of trees have been cut down for handicraft material”, said Pastika. Accordingly, rivers are drying up causing lowering water level in lakes. The former Executive Director of National Narcotic Bureau – Indonesian version of DEA – brought up the statistic that 40 out of 400 rivers in  Bali have dried out.

To survive and gradually solve the problem, among his main targets once his governorship gets inaugurated is environmental issues. He believes that if all Balinese return to the essence of traditional wisdom of Tri Hita Karana, Bali environment will sustain. The simplest thing to start with is to plant as many trees as possible for both water retainment and air freshening, making Bali more pleasant and comfortable.

Ambassador Hume deeply expect Bali to remain green, because the latest UN conference on global warming,
Bali became a barometer of successful environmental sustainability. So far the Ambassador express positive impression. To retain the such positive image the elected future Governor was expected to put sufficient attention.

Revocation of US Travel Warning

Pastika has also thanked and expressed his appreciation on the goodwill of US Government in revocation of travel warning. “We deeply appreciate and thankful regarding revocation of travel warning”, said Pastika whose during the meeting was accompanied by Bali chairman of PDIP, Ratmadi.

Ambassador Hume said revocation of travel warning was solely related to increasing security across the country. However he reminded that maintaining and increasing security measurement will always a very important agenda.

Furthermore Pastika will also pay attention to poverty alleviation and education, especially in remote rural villages. Infrastructure especially in tourism centers is also getting his attention as he thought that in this respect Bali is still inferior compared to neighboring countries like Malaysia and Singapore. Pastika confirms his will for better cooperation with US government, and offered to escort US Ambassador for a tour in Bali.