An environmental movement against the expected recovery of water and mangroves for the large-scale development in Benoa Bay unites conservatives, musicians and young people in their efforts to halt the project.
"Music has always been a question for me of energy, fuel question. Sentimental people call the inspiration, but what they really mean is the fuel," the writer-cons American Hunter S. Thomson said. the music is a powerful tool indeed, and Bali, it stimulates the community to stand up against overdevelopment and environmental degradation.
United by love for their island and music, some of the best groups of Bali join forces with young people to oppose the project of rehabilitation of Benoa Bay land. Led by the investment group PT Wahana Tirta Bali International (TWBI), the project would see around 838 hectares of shallow water of the area transformed into a chain of islands connected to homes resorts, golf courses, nightclubs, a theme park and even a Formula one circuit.
specifically, development plan sparked a protest called Forum Rakyat Bali Tolak Reklamasi or ForBALI, a coalition of academics, artists, musicians, religious leaders and farmers angry by rampant overdevelopment of the island.Some island of the most renowned groups such as the costume punk Superman Is Dead, and the folk band and pop Nosstress, joined the fight, and for the last three years have been using their celebrity status to attract young anti-recovery warriors.
Nosstress even wrote a protest song that has since been carried out by many other groups Bali. The lyrics to "build Bali, subsidize farmers. We all eat rice, do not require rehabilitation go a long way to express the feeling of dissent is currently echoing across the island. "The movement is definitely growing. Farmers, the majority of students and the community as a whole, all actively resisting rehabilitation," says JRX (Jerinx), the franc drummer and songwriter for Superman death and ForBALI celebrity face. "I am optimistic about our fight against the princes and greedy businessmen. the universe is not blind, and Bali silver is not God."
QUESTION
environmentalists have warned that artificial islands, which consume 75 percent of Bay area, could cause serious flooding. Conservation International Executive Director Indonesia Ketut Sarjana Putra, said the sea water levels in the region could rise up to 1.6 meters, potentially affecting nearby lowlands. The project would also destroy the mangrove ecosystem of the area and depriving local fishermen of their livelihood.
Benoa Bay used to be protected under zoning regulations, but the Presidential Decree No. 51/2014 issued by former Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono turned the bay into a business area and gave the green light to the development project. Bali Governor, Made Pastika Mungku, is also a strong supporter of the proposed network artificial islets.
THE GOOD FIGHT
Under the banner Bali Tolak Reklamasi (Bali Rejects Reclamation) ForBALI was staged monthly demonstrations and events music live to raise awareness of the dangers to fill in the estuary sensitive to the environment and to urge the government and investors to stop the project.
And while they are environmentalists and environmental scientists to guide Bali Tolak Reklamasi, it is the young that stimulates the movement with dedication and energy.
"Tolak Reklamasi Bali is one of the largest environmental movement in the history of Indonesia. No other eco-movement had the energy to organize monthly street events until 3000 people. It is good to see that it is the youth of Indonesia who do a lot of that number, "says Rudolf Dethu, writer and activist social policy which will lead the discussion on the restoration plan Benoa Bay Ubud writers and readers Festival this year. a former manager of Bali influential group Superman is Dead, Dethu was a major player in attracting young anti-handed warriors ready to join Bali Tolak Reklamasi.
"It is not easy to kill a popular movement like this. We do not do this for money, but by passion. Everyone is so dedicated, "says Dethu." These are young people who are behind all banners Bali Tolak Reklamasi the streets. Interestingly, they always disappear when Jokowi, or other important person, visit Bali. It does not matter because they soon reappear again. "
ForBALI regular seminars in banjar (community centers) around the island to educate youth Bali about the dangers of uncontrolled development. Those who learn about the harmful consequences of Benoa Bay development would have on the environment usually become active opponents of the project.
Man Angga Nosstress of the band, who were involved in Bali Tolak Reklamasi there almost three years, said that although many young people are first attracted to the movement because music events live and what he calls the "coolness factor", they soon learn why the Benoa Bay project would have a negative effect on the environment and culture of Bali.
"It's great to see children turn into eco-defenders. They love music, but they also realize that there is so much more behind it, "said Angga" I am certain of one thing -.. If the movement had not existed, Benoa Bay has already been partially filled "
the protesters hope that President Joko Widodo Indonesia revokes the controversial decree issued by his predecessor, who removed the protected status of Benoa Bay and let TWBI press ahead with the project.
"I still believe that Jokowi is a good guy. We can not say we trust him, but we trust him 100 percent because we do not believe that this time, it has enough power to do much of that, "said Dethu." Nevertheless, we will not cease to petition on how it is important for the future of Bali that Presidential Decree adopted by SBY is revoked. "
a TEST fOR INDONESIA
This would have been unthinkable before the fall of President Suharto in 1998 - thousands of protesters take to the streets of Bali to mobilize against a project that would see an estuary of the environment into a cacophony noise and lights.
with so much at stake, it is not surprising that many see the movement Bali Tolak Reklamasi as a test of the fledgling democracy of Indonesia. and with the movement and growing media support, it is no wonder that many are optimistic.
"We are definitely in the right direction," said Dethu. "I'm so glad we have the opportunity to use our freedom of speech and expression for good. In the early days, we have always been threatened by thugs. Since Bali Tolak Reklamasi increased, we had no more direct threats when we go out in the streets. "And the movement is spreading, not only throughout Indonesia but also internationally. Anti-restoration events have already taken place in Indonesian cities like Jakarta and Malang, and in Washington DC to States STATES.
"We will continue to fight," said Dethu. "If we can stop this project to move forward, we could simply set a precedent for the whole country. "
For more information, visit www.forbali.org