Editor's Comments:

The article below confirms an observation that I have had just the last few weeks that although Bali is still recovering from a pandemic there is above average renovations and new construction taking place.

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The smart money also knows that although Bali tourism is at the lowest level in more than 20 or 30 years when that international gate opens tourists will flood back to what is considered the number one destination in the world right now according to TripAdvisor.

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There is a Pandemic, Bali Development Continues

The focus of the Bali Provincial Government is to build the protection of the Sacred Area of Besakih, the Bali Cultural Center and educational infrastructure

Editor: Fin Harini Besakih Temple, Bali. BETWEEN PHOTOS / Nyoman Budhiana.
JAKARTA - Infrastructure development in various sectors in Bali is still being carried out, even in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on previous studies, various areas in Bali were built based on thematic categories.

First, the Sarbagita area, which includes Denpasar-Badung-Gianyar-Tabanan, will become an urban area. Then, Ceginangan or Celuknginang which includes Celukan Bawang-Gilimanuk-Negara-Pengambengan, will be used for industry, metal and fisheries.

Another area is Sikubatula, consisting of Singaraja-Kubutambahan-Batur-Tulamben-Amed. This area will be a marine tourism and geopark . The Ubud-Bangli-Karangasem-Klungkung or Ulikalung area will become cultural tourism.

The Santip diversityi area, includes Sanda-Baturiti-Pancasari-Plaga-Kintamani, as a location for agro-industry and agro-tourism. Also, Nusa Penida-Nusa Ceningan-Nusa Lembongan for marine tourism, aquaculture, and animal husbandry.

"Even though we are currently in a pandemic period, development must continue," said Coordinating Minister (Menko) for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan while chairing the Regional Development Coordination Meeting and the Acceleration of Infrastructure Development through a written statement in Jakarta, Tuesday (11/5 ).

Luhut said a number of infrastructure projects were discussed in a meeting that was held virtually the day before. Among them are the construction of a cultural center and the protection of the Besakih Holy Area. Increased connectivity was also carried out by constructing a shortcut for the Mengwitani-Singaraji section, the Kusamba-Padang Bai-Amlapura toll road and the Gilimanuk-Mengwi toll road.

Furthermore, it also discussed the development of Sangsit Buleleng Port, Amed Karangasem Port, a ferry port and a marina port in Gunaksa, the continued development of the Sanur-Bias Munjul-Sampalan (Mentigi) Triangle Port, and the revitalization of Gilimanuk Port.

In addition, the meeting also explored the acceleration of the construction of the new North Bali airport and plans for the construction of the North Bali and South Bali railways.

The coordination meeting also discussed the construction of a dam or reservoir as well as a Drinking Water Treatment System or SPAM from the Sidan and Tamblang Dam and the Burana-Titab Regional SPAM. Also discussed the continuation of the construction of the Sarbagita PSEL.

"Last Friday President Joko Widodo inaugurated the PSEL at the Benowo landfill (TPA) which became a pilot project national . PSEL Sarbagita can imitate the existing system there," added Coordinating Minister Luhut.

Previously, the Governor of Bali, Wayan Koster, said that this year the focus of the Bali Provincial Government is to build the protection of the Sacred Area of Besakih, the Bali Cultural Center and educational infrastructure.

For the Besakih Sacred Zone, PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono said the development includes nine work package items with a total estimated cost of around IDR1 trillion. Of the nine items, the central government will build a parking area in Manik Mas covering an area of 52 thousand square meters and arrange the Becingah area of 12,287 m2 with a budget of around Rp. 500 billion.

It is hoped that the arrangement of the area is aimed at increasing the comfort of visitors who worship and travel to increase.

Wayan Koster hopes that the arrangement will be completed before 2022, considering that there is a large Maribu Bhumi ceremony that year.

Emission Reduction
Another thing that was discussed at the meeting was about the development of electric vehicles. "This is related to the joint agreement between the Bali provincial government and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) on the determination of Bali Province as a national clean energy area," said Coordinating Minister Luhut.

Wayan Koster provides provincial government support for the electric vehicle program. The Provincial Government of Bali itself continues to encourage the use of electric vehicles.

Selain dapat mencapai efisiensi biaya senilai 15-30% dibandingkan dengan kendaraan konvensional berbasis BBM, KBLBB juga dapat mereduksi emisi hingga 10-20% emisi gas rumah kaca Bali.

"Including the creation of the Bali Provincial Governor Regulation Number 48 of 2019 concerning the Use of Battery-Based Electric Motorized Vehicles (KBLBB), the establishment of electric vehicle charging stations (SPKLU), and the gradual electrification of transportation," said Wayan Koster.
Djoko Subinarto Cimahi ● Tue, July 5, 2016 Muslims across Indonesia will be observing Idul Fitri, or Lebaran, marking the end of the Islamic holy month of Ramadhan, most likely on July 5. As usual, millions of Indonesians — rich and poor, men and women, young and old — will cram into busses, ferries, trains and motorcycles, and pour out of the major cities to return to their hometowns, in a movement popularly known asmudik, to celebrate Lebaran with families, friends and relatives. The word mudik is derived from the word udik meaning rural areas. Many Indonesians living in major cities, either for work or study, come from rural areas. At least once a year, they return to their hometowns. According to the Transportation Ministry, the number of pemudik (homeward-bound travelers) will increase by 11 percent compared to last year. The number is expected to reach 28 to 30 million people. For many Indonesian Muslims, it seems incomplete to celebrate Lebaran withoutmudik, when they struggle along very congested roads between their places of residence and the hometowns from which they come. And, especially on the day of Lebaran, aside from reciting takbir (praise to Allah) and saying prayers at the mosque, in public squares or in open fields, Indonesian Muslims usually gather to greet their families and neighbors to ask forgiveness from each other. One popular greetings is “Selamat Idul Fitri. Mohon Maaf lahir dan batin,” which means “Happy Idul Fitri. Forgive me for my physical and emotional wrongdoings.” “To err is human, to forgive divine,” thus goes the famous quote from the writer Alexander Pope. As humans, we make mistakes. We commit sins. Nobody is perfect. But, God will always forgive us, and people are acting in a divine way when they forgive. In our relations with other people, intentionally or unintentionally, we sometimes or even often do them wrong. Thus, we need to ask for forgiveness. But we also need to forgive others for any wrongdoing. One important Islamic teaching involves forgiving one’s mistakes and even forgiving one’s enemies. We cannot expect God’s forgiveness for our own mistakes and sins unless we forgive those who wrong us. The Prophet Muhammad is well known for his very forgiving character. He was always ready to forgive his enemies. For example, there was an old lady who used to throw rubbish in his way day after day. But, on one occasion she did not throw rubbish in his way. So, the Prophet decided to go and find out what seemed to be the matter. She was ill in bed. And to her amazement, the Prophet Muhammad came to visit her and to forgive her. The Prophet once said: “Whoever apologizes to his brother and that apology is not accepted, then the person who refuses to accept the apology bears the sin of one who takes the property of another unjustly.” In terms of mental and physical health, those who forgive live healthier and happier and enjoy better psychological wellbeing. One study has revealed that forgiveness is associated with lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and improved sleep quality, which really has a positive impact on health. And some Duke University researchers report a strong correlation between forgiveness and strengthened immunity among HIV-positive patients. According to the researchers, people who forgive tend to have better relationships, feel happier and more optimistic, and overall, enjoy better psychological wellbeing. No doubt we all want to live happy and peaceful lives, forever and ever. Why not start by learning to forgive each other? Happy Idul Fitri. Mohon maaf lahir dan batin.

This article was published in thejakartapost.com with the title "Lebaran and our forgiving character". Click to read: https://www.thejakartapost.com/academia/2016/07/05/lebaran-and-our-forgiving-character.html.