Hundreds of sidewalk traders and motorbike taxi drivers at Gilimanuk repeated their demonstration against the port authority and the regency government yesterday. Hundreds of them at various ages even blockaded entryway to Gilimanuk ferry port by sitting on the road regardless showering rain. Stream of cars, coaches, and trucks intending to enter the port were forced to wait until they left the location.

The strike was started in the morning by long marching about one kilometer away from Gilimanuk market to the port. By carrying banners, posters, and a corpse carriage they tried to attract attention towards their life. A platoon of demonstration peacemakers from Jembrana police headquarter and port security guards worked hard to ensure peacefulness.

On Sunday, July 19th, they stopped Bali Governor, Made Mangku Pastika on his way back from Lumajang, East Java. In a dialog with the demonstrants Governor Pastika promised to work for a solution. However Pastika’s promise seemed inadequate for them and therefore they gathered an even larger number.

Apart from holding oration speech in front of the office of port authority, they also marched around the port and back to Gilimanuk terminal. Whilst they were waiting at the terminal, five representatives were invited by the commander of port security force, Adjunct Commissioner Nyoman Suparta, to the office of airport authority for a discussion with the General Manager of Gilimanuk Port Carda Damanik, Operational Manager of Gilimanuk Port Ospar Silaban, and the Village Head of Gilimanuk IG Darma Putra. Present as mediators were Commander of local military base Lieutenant Colonel M Aji and Police Commander of Jembrana Adjunct Senior Commissioner Ketut Suardana.

After the meeting, demonstrants’ leader said that the meeting did not come to any conclusion as the port authority remained at their decision to clean port area from sidewalk traders and motorbike taxis. Expressing their disappointment, demonstrants marched back to the gate of the port and blockaded it for about an hour.

Snaking queue of vehicles intending to enter the port was inevitable. Their blockade was stopped after Jembrana Police Commander arrived to persuade them.