Edition Wednesday, October 24, 2018 | International Bali Post

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Wednesday, October 24, 2018

David Beckham says his marriage to Victoria is ‘hard work’

LOS ANGELES - David Beckham has said being married to his wife Victoria is “hard work”. He told an Australian TV show: “To be married for the amount of time that we have, it’s always hard work, everybody knows that but you make it work.

Beckham praised his wife’s success in the fashion business.

IBP/net

“You make difficult situations like travelling away, being away from each other, you make it work.”

The ex-footballer has been married for 19 years and they have four children - Brooklyn, 19, Romeo, 16, and Cruz, 13, and Harper, seven.

Speaking to The Sunday Project about how the relationship has endured, he said: “I think marriage is always about hard work.

“Your children, they want your time and they deserve your time and we are hard working and we feel that is the right way to bring up our children to prove and to show to them you have to work really hard to be successful.”

He also praised his wife’s success in the fashion business, saying she had achieved a lot “in such a short space of time”.

Beckham was speaking before joining the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Australia for the Invictus Games for injured service personnel.

He said: “With Harry, to have come up with something that changes people’s lives is incredible and I’m going over as an ambassador of the games but I’m really going over as a fan.”

Rumours this summer that the couple were set to divorce were strongly dismissed by a spokesman as “bizarre” and “fake social media news”.

Victoria Beckham appeared to be having some rest and recuperation this week, posting a picture on Instagram of a break at a luxury spa in Germany and calling it an “amazing experience”.

(IBP/net)

Chris Hemsworth picks up hitchhiker - in his helicopter

CALIFORNIA - Most hitchhikers will have more than a few interesting tales to share about their adventures. But Scott Hildebrand can probably top them all. After arriving in Brisbane from Mexico, the musician managed to bum a ride with Australian actor Chris Hemsworth and his friend Luke Zocchi - and then found himself travelling by helicopter.

The pair told him their chosen

mode of transport after first picking him up in their car.

With a bird’s-eye view of the Gold Coast, he made the 100-mile trip to Byron Bay in style.

Thor star Hemsworth posted a video of the journey on Instagram, saying: “Picked up a hitchhiker, wasn’t a serial killer which we were stoked about and just happened to be a kick ass musician Scott Hildebrand.”

The clip has been viewed more

than 1.5 million times, with thousands of people commenting on the post.

In an interview with E! News, Hildebrand said the experience was “so cool and unexpected”.

“They’re so nice and I couldn’t believe it was happening,” he said.

(IBP/net)

You can find International Bali Post at: 1 Kuta Beach Club Jl. Bakung Sari Kuta 2 Wen Dys Kuta the Coffe Bear Jl. Pantai Kuta 3 Seminyak Paradiso Bali Hotel Jl. Camplung Tanduk 4 Ramayana Resort&Spa Jl. Bakung Sari Kuta 5 The Lokha Legian Resort&Spa Jl. Padma Legian Kuta 6 66 Corner Live Sport Emtertaiment Jl. Doble Six/Werkudara 23 7 Leghawa Grill Jl. D.Tamblingan No. 51 8 Retno Barr dan Restoran Jl. D.Tamblingan No.126 A Sanur 9 Elkomedor Jl. D.Tamblingan 140

10 Malaika Scret 11 Snack Shack 12 Warung Lokal 13 Cokro Cafee 14 T.J.Bar 15 J & N Kebab 16 Goanna Bar 17 Batu Jimbar 18 Ramayana Cafee

Jl. D.Poso No 68 Jl. D.Poso No. 50D Jl. D.Poso No. 39 Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur Jl. D.Tamblingan

19 Smirnof Cafee Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur 20 Legwa Hotel Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur 21 Nu Laser Cafee Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur 22 Ganesa Book Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur 23 All For Daiving Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur 24 Barocca Jl.Petitenget 17 DKerobokan 25 Lantern Jl.Petitenget 17E Kerobokan 26 Shearlock Jl.Petitenget 17C Kerobokan Klod 27 Cafe Degan Jl.Petitenget 9 Kerobokan Klod

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Anthony WALLACE / AFP

An aerial view taken on October 22, 2018, shows a section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HKZM) in Hong Kong. The world’s longest sea-bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China will be launched October 23, at a time when Beijing seeks to tighten its grip on its territories.

China’s president inaugurates Hong Kong-mainland mega bridge

China’s President Xi Jinping officially opened the world’s longest sea bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China Tuesday, at a time when Beijing is tightening its grip on its semi-autonomous territories.

Chris Hemsworth is best known for playing Thor.

28 Kopi Made Jl. Raya Puputan No. 106 Dps 29 Dimsum Manan Jl. Raya Niti Mandala Renon No 148 30 Furama Jl. Raya Niti Mandala No. 148 Renon 31 Warung Subah Renon Jl. Mohamad Yamin No.18 32 Ayam Betutu khas Gilimanuk Jl. Merdeka No.88 Renon 33 Bali Bakery Jl. Hayam Wuruk 184 Denpasar

e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id online: http://www.internationalbalipost.com. http://epaper.internationalbalipost.com.

The 55-kilometre (34-mile) crossing, which includes a snaking road bridge and underwater tunnel, links Hong Kong with the southern mainland city of Zhuhai and the gambling enclave of Macau, across the waters of the Pearl River Estuary.

Xi presided over an inauguration ceremony attended by Hong Kong’s and Macau’s city leaders at a new port terminal in Zhuhai.

“I declare the Hong KongZhuhai-Macau bridge officially open,” Xi said in a one-line address, as digital fireworks exploded on a screen behind him at the indoor ceremony, before leaving the stage

immediately.

Supporters of the multi-billiondollar bridge promote it as an engineering marvel that will boost business and cut travel time, but critics say it is one more way to integrate Hong Kong into China as fears grow that the city’s cherished freedoms are being eroded.

China’s Vice Premier Han Zheng characterised the bridge as part of the development of the Greater Bay Area -- a Beijing-driven project to create an economic hub linking nine southern mainland cities to Hong Kong and Macau. At the ceremony he described the strategy as “deployed and driven by Xi

Jinping personally”. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said the bridge would help transform Hong Kong from a “connector to a more active participant”.

Some Hong Kong social media comments accused Lam of “selling out” to Xi and portrayed her as Piglet to his Winnie the Pooh, as she was wearing an all-pink outfit.

It is the second major infrastructure project tying Hong Kong to mainland China to launch in a matter of weeks, after the opening of a high-speed rail link last month that sparked criticism Hong Kong was giving away territory -- with part of the terminus coming under mainland jurisdiction.

The main section of the new bridge is also considered mainland territory, even though Hong Kong was slated to pay at least half the

cost of the project, according to the original blueprint from the city’s government.

Hong Kong cars and drivers travelling over it “must comply with the laws and regulations of the mainland”, the city’s transport department said.

Building began in 2009 and has been dogged by delays, budget overruns, corruption prosecutions and the deaths of construction workers. The total price tag is unclear but some estimates run to over 100 billion yuan ($14.4 billion).

- Limited use Hong Kong residents will only be granted a licence to cross into Zhuhai by car if they meet highly selective criteria, including holding certain mainland government positions or making major contributions

to charities in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong.

Most people will need to travel on coaches and buses. Some Hong Kong media reported that the physical condition of bus drivers would be monitored by cameras, including an alert sent if a driver yawns more than three times in 20 seconds. Online commenters in Hong Kong complained about the bridge’s restricted access ahead of the launch.

Continued to page 6

News can also be heard in “Bali Image” at Global Radio FM 96.5 from 9.30 until 10.00 am. Listen to Global Radio FM at http:// globalfmbali.listen2myradio.com or live video streaming at http:// radioglobalfmbali.com and http:// ustream.tv/channel/global-fm-bali.

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Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Bali News

International

International

The meeting in Bali’s Parliament Office

IBP/Rindra

Parliament interrupts on the issues of Bali sold cheaply

DENPASAR —Plenary Session of the Bali House of Representatives held on Monday (Oct. 22) was interrupted by two members. Interruptions of the legislators remain to have relation to the issues that Bali is being sold cheaply in China. The parliament requested there should be a special meeting to discuss about this issue comprehensively.

“Yesterday, deputy governor had already made inspection with the Bali Tourism Board (BTB/ GIPI—Ed) and there are many evidences of violations. For instance, they have something to do with immigration violations and the use of Indonesia’s identity,” said Secretary of Commission III of the Bali House of Representatives, I Ketut Kariyasa Adnyana.

If there is indeed a violation, Kariyasa asked it should be immediately followed up because the practices are not good for Bali tourism. In particular, the Island of the Gods already succeeded in hosting the IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting. Today, Bali looks more special in the eyes of the world community.

Supposedly, tourism leads to quality tourism and not mass tourism.

On that account, there should be no untrue deals between the tourism mafia and the tourism players considered to have violated.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

15

NEW EXECUTIVE CHEF WITH NEW MENU AT BALI PARAGON

Gianyar govt delivers price hike of admission ticket to tourist objects GIANYAR —The government delivered the price hike plan of admission ticket to a number of tourist attractions managed by the Gianyar district government. Moreover, the price increase reaches IDR 50,000 per person for foreign tourist. However, the Gianyar Tourism Office claimed that such plan is still under discussion.

Head of the Gianyar Tourism Office, A.A. Bagus Ari Brahmanta, when asked for his confirmation on Monday (Oct. 22) stated there is indeed a government plan to raise admission ticket price for a number of attractions such as Tirta Empul Temple. “This plan still has to be discussed with related institutions, such as ASITA, Regional House of Representatives to customary villages because the tourist objects are not entirely owned by the government but also by customary villages,” he said.

Related to this discussion, he claimed to be still waiting for a call from the legislatives to hold a joint discussion at the Gianyar House of Representatives. “We are going to make joint discussions with the parliament, but we’re still waiting for a call,” he said.

Admittedly the ticket price at IDR 50,000 per person indeed increases significantly, from the previous price of IDR 15,000 for adult and IDR 7,500 for child. He added the price according to the old regional regulation remains valid for all tourist objects managed

by Gianyar district government. “It is the price of ticket according to the old regional regulation, but now there is a new one which just needs an approval,” he said.

Gung Ari revealed that last October 2018, there was a new regional regulation regarding the admission ticket to tourist objects having already been approved. In the new regulation, the ticket price is IDR 30,000 for foreign tourists and IDR 20,000 for domestic tourists. “Actually, this new regional regulation just needs enforcing, and already had an agreement with ASITA and other agencies,” he said.

Gung Ari also acknowledged that all this time the revenue of the whole tourist objects managed by the Gianyar district government reached tens of billions of rupiahs every year. “On average, it always increases every year in line with the increasing tourist visits,” he said.

Previously, a legislator of the Gianyar House of Representatives, Wayan Gede Sudarta, asked the government to pay attention to facilities at tourist attractions. He reminded the executives not to immediately raise the admission ticket price of tourist objects before fixing the facility. “If the government raises the levies, but the services are not balanced, tourists might turn away from Gianyar,” he complained.

Sudarta also reminded that the price increase in admission ticket should be reviewed. This is considered important so as not to simply increase for the achievement of regionally generated revenue (PAD).

“The increase in levies must be carefully reviewed, not just pursuing the revenue because we want to keep Gianyar in long-term,” he said. (kmb35)

Activities

“Of course, we would like to obtain the answers from the governor or later on there will be a special meeting to follow up this issue,” explained this PDI-P politician.

A member of Commission I of the Bali House of Representatives I, I Nyoman Tirtawan, admitted to regret the presence of Chinese store network suspected of sponsoring the cheap travel packages to Bali.

Besides, they use the Garuda symbol on their invoice or warranty receipt. According to him, this is a form of blasphemy against the state symbols. This Nasdem Party politician begged the police and other relevant agencies to immediately follow up on the alleged crimes.

“Secondly, there is also ‘seizure’ against the right of souvenir shop because foreign products are sold in Bali and they apply WeChat payment method. In other words, it is not detected, and no one pays taxes,” he added.

Chairman of the Bali House of Representatives, I Nyoman Adi Wiryatama, asserted that he would immediately discuss about this issue by inviting relevant agencies.

In essence, Bali tourism must make tourists and local people happy to equally get the results.

Meanwhile, Deputy Governor of Bali, Tjok Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, said that Bali must also be heartened because the lack of supervision helped make prices cheaper. In terms of the number of hotel rooms, for example, the current supply is too much. That is why hotel prices can be suppressed by outsiders. Then, this type of accommodation has developed into a hostel, where one room may accommodate six or more beds.

“So, guests rent per divan. If one room has six divans and each is rented at IDR 50,000, it means that the room will get IDR 300,000,” he affirmed. (kmb32)

 Founder : K.Nadha,  General Manager :Palgunadi Chief Editor: Gugiek Savindra  Editors:Agus Toni, Daniel Fajry, Mawa, Sueca, Sugiartha, Yudi Winanto Denpasar: Dira Arsana, Giriana Saputra, Subrata, Sumatika, Asmara Putra. Bangli: Suasrina, Buleleng: Dewa kusuma, Gianyar: Manik Astajaya, Karangasem: Budana, Klungkung: Dewa Farendra. Jakarta: Nikson, Hardianto, Ade Irawan. NTB: Agus Talino, Izzul Khairi, Raka Akriyani. Surabaya: Bambang Wilianto.  Office: Jalan Kepundung 67 A Denpasar 80232. Telephone (0361)225764, Facsimile: 227418, P.O.Box: 3010 Denpasar 80001. Bali Post Jakarta, Advertizing: Jl.Palmerah Barat 21F. Telp 021-5357602, Facsimile: 021-5357605 Jakarta Pusat. NTB: Jalam Bangau No. 15 Cakranegara Telp. (0370) 639543, Facsimile: (0370) 628257. Publisher: PT Bali Post

Bali Paragon Resort Hotel, 4-star hotel with 379 luxury rooms, is pleased to announce Harto Wijaya as the newly appointed Executive Chef. In hisrole, Chef Harto will lead daily food operations in all outlets, menu conceptualization and staff management while implementing new culinary concepts in line with the latest industry trends.

Chef Harto Wijaya has nearly 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry, most recently with Four Points by Sheraton Seminyak Bali. Prior to joining Bali Paragon Resort Kuta, Chef Harto was working at Le Grande Suites Pecatu and Ramayana Hotel as in charge for some unit of restaurants with many kind of food specialties.

Delighted to join with team at Bali Paragon Resort Hotel, Chef Harto said that is amazing to always learn about culinary; as Chef Harto said, it is interesting to see the development of culinary industry, because as another industries, culinary is growth not only about creation but art as well. By his experience and passion for Gastronomy and Asian cuisine, start in November he will presents new menu of Tablespoon Coffee House. The new menu is a celebration of the diverse flavors of the worldwide cuisine with a menu driven by fresh ingredients to create authentic and fresh flavors; which the highlights on the menu are Balinese Bebek Goreng, Pasta Tom Yum, Pan Seared Salmon, Pan Seared Crispy Skin Seabass.“It is an honour to join with this dynamic team at Bali Paragon. As a new 4-star hotel in Jimbaran, Bali Paragon Resort Hotel has earned stellar reputation and achieved good value in hospitality business. I look forward to helping develop strategy and support the Tablespoon Coffee House as a restaurant in Bali Paragon and delighted to present the new a la carte menu to our guest, so that they enjoy the diverse flavors of the worldwide cuisine, especially Balinese,” said Chef Harto.

Tablespoon Coffee House at Bali Paragon is a luxury, elegance extensive on day dining menu of delicious cuisine from local, international and Chinese cuisine specialties. The venue of Tablespoon Coffee House features a visually dramatic show an open kitchen as well as décor and the light snacks, the dining for lunch or dinner daily operation daily operation hours from 11 AM to 10.30 PM. Tablespoon Coffee House is a casual spot located adjacent to the main swimming pool serving a selection of refreshing beverages. We are looking forward to welcoming you at our restaurant and enjoying favorite dishes by Chef Harto.

14

Technology

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

International

International

Sea shell-decorated keben craft of Kukuh village

Brexit backer Dyson to make electric cars in Singapore LONDON - British electric appliance pioneer Dyson said Tuesday it had picked Singapore as the site for its first electric car plant, sparking criticism of the company’s Brexit-backing billionaire founder for not investing more in British manufacturing.

Dyson, founded and owned by serial entrepreneur James Dyson, said the factory was scheduled for completion in 2020 as part of a £2.5 billion (2.8 billion euro, $3.3 billion) global investment drive in new technology.

The company, best known for its cordless vacuum cleaners, hand dryers and fans, is aiming to launch electric vehicles in 2021.

“The decision of where to make our car is complex, based on supply chains, access to markets and the availability of the expertise that will help us achieve our ambitions,” Dyson chief executive Jim Rowan said in a statement.

“Our existing footprint and team in Singapore, combined with the nation’s significant advanced manufacturing expertise, made it a frontrunner. Singapore also offers access to high-growth markets as well as an extensive supply chain and a highly-skilled workforce,” Rowan said.

“Singapore has a comparatively high cost base, but also great technology expertise and focus. It is therefore the right place to make high quality technology loaded machines, and the right place to make our electric vehicle.”

The company already has production facilities in Malaysia and Singapore.

- ‘Snubbed Britain for Singapore’ Best for Britain, an anti-Brexit campaign group, called the news “astonishing”.

“He’s snubbed Britain for Singapore,” the group tweeted.

Opposition Labour MP Ian Murray, a supporter of Best for Britain, said: “When even someone who claims there will be a resurgence in British manufacturing after Brexit isn’t prepared to put his money where his mouth is, it raises serious questions”.

But Singapore welcomed the decision, which Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said will see car assembly return to the city-state for the first time since the 1980s.

“Now we will manufacture cars again, except this time greener, better, and more high-tech!” he wrote on his Facebook page.

Dyson announced his decision to launch electric cars last year -- a sector in which the company will face stiff competition from established players.

Electric vehicles are increasing in popularity as governments worldwide drive forward plans to gradually phase out polluting petrol and diesel cars.

Dyson told AFP in an interview earlier this year that electric cars were already available to order and the manufacturing location would be either in Britain or Asia.

Dyson, a vocal supporter of the campaign to leave the EU, said he was confident the EU and Britain would reach an agreement on free trade after Britain leaves the bloc.

“I think it would be hurtful to both sides not to do that,” he said.

The company said that 2017 operating profit surged by almost one third to around £800 million, aided by fast growth in China, India, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Revenues leapt 40 percent to £3.5 billion.

Dyson employs more than 12,000 people across the world, including 4,800 in Britain. (afp)

IBP/net

British electric appliance pioneer Dyson said Tuesday it had picked Singapore as the site for its first electric car plant.

IBP/net

The UK government has cut subsidies that helped people pay for electric vehicles and hybrids.

London Uber drivers to charge electric car fee

LONDON - Uber is planning to add a surcharge to all fares booked via its app in London to help its drivers buy electric vehicles.

The fee, expected to be 15p per mile, will be introduced “early” in 2019.

Uber said drivers working for 40 hours per week could get cash help of about £1,500 a year from passengers via the top-up fee.

The ride-hailing firm said the scheme would also contribute towards plans to curb air pollution in the capital.

Uber said it expected the scheme to raise more than £200m ($260m) over the “next few years” to help drivers swap vehicles. It said the fee would add about 45p to the average London journey.

It hopes to hand cash to 20,000 drivers to help them switch by 2021 and get all of them converted by the middle of that decade. Uber currently has about 40,000 drivers in London.

High cost Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s chief executive, said in a statement that the plan was a “a long-term investment in the future of London aimed at going all electric in the capital in 2025”.

He added: “Over time, it’s our goal to help people replace their car with their phone by offering a range of mobility options - whether cars, bikes, scooters or public transport - all in the Uber app.”

It said the introduction of the fee would build on other partnerships it has fostered to improve

London’s infrastructure for electric vehicles which have led to the installation of more charging points.

The initiative comes soon after the UK government cut subsidies for buying greener cars. From 9 November, grants for plug-in hybrids will stop and those for all-electric cars will shrink from £4,500 to £3,500.

Professor David Bailey, an expert in industrial strategy from Aston University, said the move was a “welcome first step”.

“Uber is not doing this out of the goodness of its heart,” he told the BBC, explaining that larger London plans to clean up the capital’s air will put more and more restrictions on the types of vehicles that can pass through it.

“If they don’t act they risk not having any drivers or customers,” he said.

“The move to electric cars is going to happen anyway and they want to be seen to be playing their part,” said Prof Bailey.

Other concrete steps Uber could take would involve it letting drivers of electric vehicles keep more of the cash passengers pay, he said.

“There are still quite significant barriers to electric vehicle take-up,” said Prof Bailey.

The relatively high cost of electric vehicles was one factor, as was the lack of charging points and fears about range.

Those problems would be solved in time, he said, but government and other policy makers also needed to think about smarter ways to get people moving to using electric cars and other vehicles. (IBP/net)

TABANAN — Keben or ritual basket craft is a pretty much developed craft in Bali. Since many craftsmen take advantage of the same raw material, craftsmen of Kukuh village, Marga, should look for different things to make it look unique and then choice falls on the usage of sea shells as decoration.

One of the craftsmen, Wayan Suryani, 46, stated that she has deeply involved in the craft business with her sister since ten years ago. At that time, the craft used glass ornaments. However, since more and more craftsmen apply such glass decoration, she and her sister then tried new material namely sea shells.

Unfortunately, to meet the shell raw material, Suryani should be brought in it from Java. “The sea shell used for decoration is very difficult to find in here Bali. So, I must bring in it from Java,” she said. At least, there are six types of sea shells used either of the large-sized shells to be further cut into small piece or the small ones.

For once ordering sea shell, said Suryani, she usually requests 100 kilograms per type of shell. The order is made when receiving an order from consumers. “Our order is fluctuating. Sometimes there are a few pieces in a month and sometimes we get no order at all. So, the order of the shell is made if there are already craft orders,” she said.

Commonly, the keben crafts are ordered on average of 30 pieces.

To meet the order, she should engage six craftsmen where one craftsman can accomplish two pieces of keben basket each day.

The price offered for this shell-decorated craft varies based on the complexity of the design and the variety of sea shells in use.

On average, the price is between IDR 200,000 and IDR 300,000.

Meanwhile, other than fulfilling the demand in Bali, this shelldecorated handicraft also draw the interest of consumers from outside Bali. “Some buyers from Sulawesi also order my craft products,” concluded Suryani. (kmb24)

Bali News

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

3

IBP/kmb

Although having been complained by residents, the excavation in Kutuh village area to be used for garbage processing facility continues to run.

Though complained

Construction of the garbage processing site at Kutuh continues

MANGUPURA — Although having been complained by residents, the excavation in Kutuh village area to be used for garbage processing facility continues to run. Moreover, the realization will be carried out in the 2019 fiscal year through the rural budget plan or APBDes. This was disclosed by headman of Kutuh, Wayan Purja, when contacted on Sunday (Oct. 21).

IBP/kmb24

The price offered for this shell-decorated craft varies based on the complexity of the design and the variety of sea shells in use.

Wayan Purja who is also the owner of the excavated land said that through the village program, the area will be arranged into the location of garbage management. Accidentally, the land belongs to his property and is contracted by local village through a cooperation agreement. “Actually, this garbage processing site is for the sake of public interest. This is what we will explain later on, including the objectives and plans to the provincial government on Monday (Oct. 22),” he said.

The waste processing site construction is made considering that Kutuh village needs a landfill. Since location of the garbage disposal everywhere is problematic, it was then decided to make the waste processing facility. Hopefully, in addition to reducing the waste problem, this can also create job opportunities for local residents. They can be empowered to handle this waste processing facility.

Regarding the complaints of residents near the location, his authority indeed had not conduct dissemination previously. According to him, the housing complex is

located beyond the village or outside the Kutuh area, namely the Kampial area. In addition, the housing was built after the excavation. “This excavation has been running for 1.5 years, while the housing has been around six months ago,” he said.

If there is an objection, he considered it natural. Purja said they do not know exactly what will be made. He said the waste processing site will certainly be needed by residents. Most importantly, it will not be polluting the environment.

Regarding the permit, there is no permit for a landfill (TPA) in South Kuta. However, the permit for the waste processing place is considered to be still possible.

Related to this, residents around the excavation site are worried about the location to be getting prone to landslides because the excavation is close enough reaching 20 meters.

People hoped the excavation can be stopped because it threatens safety as the excavation position from the housing is only a meter away.

In addition, residents also recommended not using the location for processing waste. They consider the

garbage can pollute the environment because it is adjacent to their residence. A number of residents living in the housing near the location of the excavation will send a letter to the governor of Bali. “We hope the governor can stop the project. We have complained to the Badung legislator personally but we are advised to file the objection to the governor,” said one of the residents rejecting his name to be published.

When confirmed separately, Chairperson of the Commission II of the Badung House of Representatives, Wayan Luwir Wiana, hoped the headman of Kutuh can sit together with the affected residents.

This needs to be done to find the best solution to the complaint. His commission in the Badung House of Representatives does not have the authority to follow up on this matter.

The authority of excavation lies in the provincial government of Bali.

Later on when the team from Bali province comes down to inspect the location, if the Commission II of the Badung House of Representatives is involved, he is ready to go down together. (kmb23)

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Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Bali News

International

Bali must have strong blueprint and arguments

I Gusti Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya

IBP/kmb

DENPASAR - Bali needs to be given special authority in terms of tourism management. With the special authority, Bali tourism is believed to be able to develop better. However, Bali needs to prepare a blueprint or a tourism master plan so that Bali tourism development is more directed and diplomatic arguments to central government can be stronger.

Chairman of the Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Badung Chapter, I Gusti Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya, stated that about ten years ago in the framework of developing tourism, Bali had ever planned to give special autonomy in the field of tourism, but had not succeeded.

“Right now, the special authority is considered important to be put into discourse again because the ideals of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Bali are now heading for One Island One Management, and one commander. Thus, Bali clearly has the blue print of tourism development where it will develop Disneyland, airport, train, flyovers or other attractions that can improve the competitiveness of Bali tourism,” he explained on Monday (Oct. 22) when contacted by Bali Post.

According to him, this special authority is very possible to implement so that Bali in the future will have a specialization in the field of tourism. He is confident and optimistic that the existence of special authority, one island one management and one commander will have a positive impact on Bali.

Bali is very possible to implement special authority if allowed by central government. In terms of human resources, Bali already

has owned. As evidence, Bali has been named as the best tourist destination in the world for several times. Besides, Bali has cultural and customs advantages.

Reputation of Bali is already famous in the world so that it’s easy to promote. “In addition, there must also be a blueprint or road map that will be clear later on. With quality human resources, the natural resources owned must be further developed so that it is more productive in the future,” he added.

What needs to be done now is heading for specific authorities as the commitment of all stakeholders in the region. Thus, the executive and legislative as the representative of Bali can fight for it in the central government.

“The representatives in the Central House of Representatives, Regional Representatives Council and the executives should lobby to central government so that Bali gets special authority in the field of tourism management, although it remains synergized with central government, both in the development and promotion,” he said.

The decision whether to be permitted or not will much depends on the policy of central government and how to provide political diplomacy at top level.

Chairman of the Bali Tourism Community Association (AMPB), I Gusti Kade Sutawa, said that basically he agreed that Bali has special authority so that Bali possesses a strong bargaining position.

With this authority, Bali can become a hub, center, funnel and the icon of Indonesian tourism.

“Bali can promote other regions,” he said. However, the important note for Bali to apply for the special authority is the master plan or blueprint. So far, Bali does not have a clear master plan on Bali tourism. “What kind of infrastructure does it want, how does the zoning look like and what about the carrying capacity?” he asked.

Moreover, the most frequent discourse about Bali’s infrastructure is the connectivity between northern Bali, southern Bali, eastern Bali and western Bali.

This infrastructure development should be transparent and announced to the public. According to him, all this time it is never clear and gives impression if the development is carried out sporadically and without a plan. One thing he highlighted is about the matter of managing destination management. The associations along with the government should play an important role in managing destinations. (kmb42)

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

International

13

New Vietnam president sworn in after 99.8% vote

HANOI - Vietnam lawmakers on Tuesday elected as president Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, the only candidate on the ballot, making him the most powerful man in the country where consensus leadership has traditionally kept strongman rule in check.

IBP/kmb24

Achievement of this high rice planting target happens due to the long rainy season, so that almost all of the regions of raw land cultivation can be planted with rice.

Rice planting target in 2018 reaches 95 percent

TABANAN - Tabanan government targeted the paddy planting during the period of October 2017-March 2018 and April 2018-September 2018 can be realized as much as 95 percent.

Achievement of this high rice planting target happens due to the long rainy season, so that almost all of the regions of raw land cultivation can be planted with rice.

Based on the data, the planting area in Tabanan reaches 21,089 hectares. The target of planting rice for the period October 2017 to March 2018 amounted to 20,924 hectares. This target could be achieved at 20,766 hectares or 99.24 percent. Meanwhile during the April 2018 to September 2018 planting period, it had the same planting area and the planting target is set at 19,771 hectares and the realization reached 18,220 hectares or 91.23 percent. In total, the planting target of Tabanan in 2018 reached 40,895 hectares with a realization of 38,986 hectares or around 95 percent.

Division Head of the Production and Horticulture Improvement at the Tabanan Agriculture Agency, Wayan Suandra, stated on Monday (Oct. 22) the realization of planting target in 2018 exceeded the planting target in 2017 only reaching around 80 percent. “Realization in 2018 is

higher because the rainy season is longer than in 2017,” he said.

He explained that long dry season in 2017 caused many farmers to delay their planting because they waited for the availability of water.

A different thing happened in 2018 where during the April-September planting period it still rained even though it should have entered dry season in April. As a result, some farmers planted rice instead of crops. “‘Since there is enough water available some farmers are able to grow rice three times a year.

Necessarily, they follow twice rice planting season and then crops after it,” explained Suandra.

This can be seen from the data of the planting period of October 2017-March 2018 in which four out of 10 sub-districts in Tabanan could realize more than 100 percent of the planting target, namely the Kediri with 103.93 percent, Baturiti with 112.60 percent, Penebel with

131.99 percent and Pupuan with 122.91 percent.

In the meantime, for the April 2018 to September 2018 planting period there were also four subdistricts exceeding 100 percent of the planting target, namely the West Selemadeg with 135.32 percent, Selemadeg with 106.13 percent, Kediri with 100.42 percent and Baturiti with 217.44 percent.

Suandra explained the achievement of exceeding 100 percent was possible because of the long rainy season, causing farmers to re-plant rice for the third time or the land usually unable to be planted in the dry season due to the unavailability of water was finally able to be planted with rice. “The planting target in an area is calculated based on the availability of water, potential land area to be cultivated and other requirements. If there is water, surely the land can be planted with rice,” he added. (kmb24)

Trong was ushered into his new role as head-of-state with 99.8 percent of the vote from Vietnam’s rubber stamp parliament members a month after the former president died from a prolonged illness.

Though the president’s role is seen as largely ceremonial, 74-year-old Trong will maintain his position as party head -- the first person to hold both roles since revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh in the late 1960s.

His new position was cemented in a tightly orchestrated swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday after an overwhelming vote from 477 lawmakers, with only one vote against, according to the government’s website.

“I, president of Vietnam vow to be completely loyal to the nation, people and constitution,” Trong said at the ceremony, speaking beneath a large bust of Ho Chi Minh.

“This is a very huge honour, while at the same time, a very heavy responsibility for me,” he added, acknowledging his advanced age.

His election comes as no surprise after the Communist Party’s Central Committee put his name forward as the only contender last month following the death of Tran Dai Quang.

His dual role in two of the so-called “four-pillar” top leadership positions allows

AFP

Vietnam communist party chief Nguyen Phu Trong takes oath as country’s president at the National Assembly hall in Hanoi on October 23, 2018.

Trong to yield a huge amount of power in the government whose inner workings are often shielded from the public.

The two other “pillars” are the prime minister and National Assembly chair.

Analysts say Trong is likely to forge ahead with an anti-corruption campaign that

he has spearheaded since his re-election as party chief in 2016, which has seen dozens of top officials, executives and bankers put behind bars.

His time in office has also coincided with a crackdown on dissidents, with more than 55 jailed this year alone, according to an AFP

tally, that rights groups say shows no sign of abating under Trong.

The US ambassador to Vietnam congratulated Trong on the post Tuesday, celebrating cosying ties between the former war foes who are both seeking to counter China’s rising military and economic might. (afp)

Buffaloes plough through annual Thai racing festival

Jewel SAMAD / AFP

Jockeys ride buffaloes during the annual buffalo races in Chon Buri on October 23, 2018. Several hefty buffaloes thunder down a dirt track in eastern Thailand, kicking up dust as they are urged toward the finish line by whip-wielding jockeys perched on their backs.

CHONBURI - Several hefty buffaloes thunder down a dirt track in eastern Thailand, kicking up dust as they are urged toward the finish line by whip-wielding jockeys perched on their backs.

It’s a display of strength and agility from the riders, who risk life and limb in their bid for glory -- and a top prize of 8,000 baht (US$240).

The race is the highlight of the annual week-long buffalo festival held in the coastal town of Chonburi which is now into its 147th year. Buffalo trainer Pongsak Khanngern, 44, has entered two of his animals into the contest.

“I have trained them for months and I am confident that one of them will win,” he said.

The decades-old tradition started

as a way for farmers to blow off steam during the slow moments of an arduous rice-planting season, and over time many superstitions developed around it.

If a buffalo fell sick for example, farmers would pray to the spirits of their ancestors to heal it; if the animal recovered, a race would be offered in thanks.

On Tuesday, some 500 buffaloes were competing.

“There? are? ?many youngsters attending and? (a lot of) interest in? this event,” mayor Chutharut Parinwachirapud said of the crowds, which numbered in the thousands at the festival.

For centuries, these gentle giants were of immense practical importance -- ploughing the fields, providing transport, and even defend-

ing villages in times of conflict.

But as farming became mechanised, buffaloes have taken on a symbolic role, acting as a reminder of Thailand’s farming tradition.

Near the race track, farmers splashed water over the buffaloes’ glossy hides to keep them cool under the sun as they wait for their race category.

Phaichit Payindee has been competing for years, and prides herself in keeping last year’s reigning champion, four-year-old Ruang, strong and healthy.

“Today my buffalo is ready to defend his champion title,” the 42-year-old said, adding that she doesn’t care about the money at stake.

“It’s not about the prize, but my buffalo’s reputation.” (afp)

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International

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

BUSINESS Cryptocurrency bitcoin marks 10 years

October 31, 2008 marked the birth of bitcoin. Ten years on, the world’s first cryptocurrency is at the forefront of a complex financial system viewed warily by markets and investors. From its first evocation amid a global financial crisis, in a white paper written by Satoshi Nakamoto, an unknown pseudonym, bitcoin conveyed a political vision.

The “abstract” set out in the paper for bitcoin, currently worth about $6,400 per unit from a starting point of virtually zero, was for “a purely peer-to-peer version of electronic cash (that) would allow online payments to be sent directly from one party to another without going through a financial institution.”

A decade on, this continues to be carried out via a decentralised registry system known as a blockchain.

Such ambition for a cryptocurrency was fuelled by the bankruptcy of US investment bank Lehman Brothers in September 2008, an event that discredited the traditional system of “a small elite of bankers... (that) establishes monetary rules imposed on everybody”, according to Pierre Noizat, founder of the first French bitcoin exchange in 2011. Following its creation, bitcoin evolved for several years away from the public eye, grabbing the attention for the most part of geeks and criminals -- the latter seeing it as a way to launder money.

After bitcoin surpassed $1,000 for the first time in 2013, it began to attract the attention of financial institutions.

The European Central Bank compared it to a Ponzi scheme, but Ben Bernanke, then head of the US Federal Reserve, hailed its potential.

- A turbulent childhood In early 2014, the cryptocurrency faced its biggest crisis to date, with the hacking of the Mt. Gox platform, where about 80 percent of all bitcoins were traded. The result was a collapse in their value, leading to predictions of the virtual currency’s death.

It took until early 2017 for bitcoin’s price to fully recover. That marked the start of a “turning point” according to Noizat, as the controversial cryptocurrency then rocketed to more than $19,500 by the end of the year according to Bloomberg data.

That meant bitcoin had a total capitalisation of more than $300 billion, according to the specialised website Coinmarketcap. By January 2018 the value of all cryptocurrencies exceeded $800 billion, before the bubble burst. The concept of a digital currency has progressed substantially thanks to bitcoin, cryptocurrency analyst Bob McDowall told AFP, pointing to the creation of 2,000 rivals. “It becomes more than a technological, economic innovation. It almost becomes a religion for some people,” he noted.

According to Anthony Lesoismier, co-founder of investment fund Swissborg which offers portfolios based on blockchain, “the real revolution has been on a philosophical level”. But for economist Nouriel Roubini, decentralisation in crypto is a myth.

“It is a system more centralised than North Korea. Miners are centralised, exchanges are centralised, developers are centralised dictators,” Roubini tweeted.

If the initial idea was for bitcoin to facilitate payments, a majority of observers recognise that it is used above all as a store of value or as a speculative instrument owing to volatility in its value.

“You need 20 years for this kind of... technology to take hold completely,” said Noizat, who is banking on faster transaction speeds for bitcoin. (afp)

Bali News

International

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Krisik Waterfall Increasingly Visited by Tourists

5

Community of Tembuku village Bangli, keeps exploring the existing natural potential to be developed into an attractive tourist destination. After successfully featuring a tourist destination named the Tukad Cepung Waterfall, now the village community has another attraction named the Krisik Waterfall.

The new tourist object is presented and managed by farmers of Subak Tembuku Kelod.

AP Photo/Alastair Grant

British Prime Minister Theresa May walks off the podium after a media conference during an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. EU leaders met for a second day on Thursday to discuss migration, cybersecurity and to try and move ahead on stalled Brexit talks.

Most UK firms to trigger Brexit safety plans ‘by Christmas’

LONDON - The vast majority of British firms are poised to implement their Brexit contingency plans by Christmas if there isn’t greater clarity over the country’s exit from the European Union, a leading business group warned Sunday.

The Confederation of British Industry said these plans could include cutting jobs, adjusting supply chains outside the U.K., stockpiling goods and relocating production and services overseas.

The warning comes amid growing fears that Britain may crash out of the EU in March without a deal on the future relationship. That could see tariffs placed on British exports, border checks reinstalled, and restrictions imposed travelers and workers — a potentially toxic combination for businesses.

“The situation is now urgent,” said Carolyn Fairbairn, the CBI’s director general. “The speed of negotiations is being outpaced by the reality firms are facing on the ground.”

Discussions between the two sides have hit an impasse largely over how to maintain an open border between EU member Ireland and Northern

Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.

A summit of EU leaders last week failed to yield a breakthrough. December is now the next scheduled EU summit, leaving the Brexit process tight ahead of Britain’s official departure date on March 29. Even if a divorce deal is forged, there are doubts over British Prime Minister Theresa May’ ability to secure the necessary majority in Parliament, given bitter divisions on the topic.

“Unless a Withdrawal Agreement is locked down by December, firms will press the button on their contingency plans,” said Fairbairn. “Jobs will be lost and supply chains moved.”

Fairbairn’s warning was based on a survey of 236 member firms tilted toward small and medium-sized companies with up to 500 employees, undertaken from Sept. 19 to Oct. 8. The survey

found that 82 percent of firms will have started to implement contingency plans

by December if the Brexit process isn’t any clearer.

The CBI also said that 80 percent of firms say Brexit has already had a negative impact on their investment decisions, more than double the 36 percent recorded a year ago. The survey found that 66 percent of businesses said Brexit has had an impact on the attractiveness of the U.K. as a place to invest, while 24 percent said there had been no impact.

Some big companies are becoming increasingly vexed by the impasse in the Brexit talks. Last week, ahead of the summit in Brussels, pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca and carmaker Ford issued statements raising doubts about their investments in Britain. “Uncertainty is draining investment from the U.K.,” said Fairbairn. (ap)

Krisik Waterfall is located at Tembuku Kelod hamlet. To reach the location of waterfall, visitors must go through an overlay of farmers’ paddy fields and irrigation channels with very clear water.

After going through the fields, visitors still have to explore short pathway. Prior to arriving at the location of waterfall, visitors need to pass a very beautiful stone wall with lovely texture.

Chief of Subak Gede Tembuku Kelod, I Wayan Sumada, when met on Sunday (Sep. 30) stated the waterfall has begun to be arranged by the members of Subak Tembuku Kelod since last March.

Inspired by many tourists getting interested in seeing the agriculture of the surrounding villagers after visiting the Tukad Cepung tourist attraction, local farmers then tried to arrange the potential owned like the waterfall into a tourist destination. Hopefully, it can develop and prosper the people of Tembuku

village.

Though it was just arranged and opened, so far there are adequately many tourists coming to enjoy the natural atmosphere of Krisik Waterfall. “We present this Krisik waterfall as additional attraction. Our main feature is trekking activity crossing the paddy fields remaining to be cultivated traditionally as well as natural scenery of Mount Agung,” he explained while being accompanied by the treasurer of Subak Tembuku Kelod, I Wayan Pintu.

He explained the waterfall is named Krisik (Balinese word) because the waterfall sounds to gurgle. The name has also been used by local people since a long time ago to call the location. According to ancestral stories, the water falling among the rocks has never dried up, despite facing a long dry season.

Since it remains relatively new, he admitted that many things must

still be arranged to attract more tourist visits to the waterfall. In the arrangement, the foremost thing to

The Action of Bats Seduces Visitors at Tanah Lot

Apart from the beauty of sunset view, Tanah Lot also features another attraction showing off millions of fruit bats embellishing the sky over the exotic Tanah Lot. The nocturnal animals fly very beautifully, going here and there while looking for food and decorating the sky after the nightfall. This animal having the mouth like that of mouse can fly very fast while catching insects as the prey.

The movement of foraging bats becomes a unique attraction favored by foreign tourists.

The bats scattered in the sky after sunset become the target of camera shots of tourists. They are even willing to postpone their time of departure from the object in order to watch the bats clustering at night. For tourists, the attraction is very attractive.

This animal becoming the identity of Batman superhero can indeed be found everywhere.

However, the bats at Tanah Lot attraction indeed look beautiful. They are looking for fruits or flying insects.

The bats live in the caves around the Tanah Lot Beach. Some others also live in the local leaves growing nearby. “The habit of foraging bats becomes a concern of tourists. Lately, their action is eagerly awaited by tourists to capture this natural moment,” said Made, a local security officer.

Meanwhile, Jero Niti, Promotion Section Officer of the Tanah Lot Attraction, said that lately the action of foraging bats looks very beautiful as natural tourist attraction. This attraction has been available from long time ago, but the number was not so much. “Lately, millions of bats appear and fly around the sky. Even though it looks vague because of approaching the night, tourists still want to wait for them,” she explained. (kmb)

be done is to make the Krisik Waterfall free from plastic waste. “In the future, we are going to establish

a tourism-aware group (Pokdarwis) to manage the tourism objects,” he said. (kmb)

Rice Porridge Can Heal Heatiness

Are you a foodie? Do not be surprised if Balinese people have a number of dishes that are not only delicious, but also useful for healing. For instance, they have rice porridge. It is not included in the popular types of food, but some people still make this rice porridge. Interestingly, this rice porridge takes advantage of rice waste, so it is not wasted.

Rice porridge is a menu of people on the Island of the Gods, especially in rural areas that are more engaged as farmers.

Before heading out to paddy field, moor or doing their job as a farm laborer, they will make a rice cracker for their refreshment.

Other than applied to workers, people having fever, sore throat or other illnesses are often given this rice porridge.

The type of rice porridge is usually eaten warm, so it feels more enjoyable and people believe it can heal inner heat and shore throat. This porridge also serves as a breakfast for students at villages who will attend school. The rice porridge is also commonly made during rainy season. Cool atmosphere of village will get warmer when eating rice porridge with the family.

The rice porridge has a yellow color as the effect of the seasoning in use namely the turmeric. To make this traditional menu healthier, the rice porridge is usually mixed with spinach or sweet leaf.

When cooking, it is also filled with bay leaves, resulting in a distinctive taste. Eating rice porridge will be more delicious when accompanied with crackers of fried sticky cake.

The ingredients used consist of rice waste, local spices, bay leaves and water.

The spices are dominated with turmeric, then add a little galangal, ginger, aromatic ginger, garlic, onion, chili, coriander, pepper, candlenut, shrimp paste, coconut oil and salt (to taste) and a bay leaf (to taste) as well.

Preparation: first of all, turmeric, galangal, ginger and aromatic ginger are finely chopped. Onion and garlic are sliced ??and then mixed with other ingredients, and then ground to make it smooth. Similarly, candlenut, pepper and coriander can be crushed or blender to be smoothed, too.

After that, put into the basin and then cook the rice waste and add coconut oil. Stir it well so the seasoning can mix thoroughly with the rice.

The next process is to put the mixed rice into the pan. Add water and salt to taste. Put spinach or sweet leaves and two pieces of bay leaves. Heat it for about 20 minutes or until cooked. Finally, take out the porridge and now it is ready to be served. In order to taste better, it can be added with fried onions and crispy crackers. (kmb)

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Wednesday, October 24, 2018

World’s oldest intact shipwreck found in Black Sea LONDON - An ancient Greek trading ship dating back more than 2,400 years has been found virtually intact at the bottom of the Black Sea, the world’s oldest known shipwreck, researchers said on Tuesday.

The vessel is one of more than 60 shipwrecks identified by the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project including Roman ships and a 17th-century Cossack raiding fleet.

During the three-year project, researchers used specialist remote deep-water camera systems previously used in offshore oil and gas exploration to map the sea floor.

“A small piece of the vessel has been carbon dated and it is confirmed as the oldest intact shipwreck known to mankind,” the project said in a statement.

The ship, which is lying on its side with its mast and rudders intact, was dated back to 400 BC -- a time when the Black Sea was a trading hub filled with Greek colonies.

The team said the vessel, previously only seen in an intact state on the side of ancient Greek pottery, was found at a depth of more than 2,000 metres (6,500 feet).

The water at that depth is oxygen-free, meaning that organic material can be preserved for thousands of years.

“A ship, surviving intact, from the Classical world, lying in over two kilometres of water, is something I would never have believed possible,” said Professor Jon Adams from the University of Southampton in southern England, the project’s main investigator.

“This will change our understanding of shipbuilding and seafaring in the ancient world,” he said.

Helen Farr, a project team member, said: “We have bits of shipwreck which are earlier but this one really looks intact”.

“The project as a whole was actually looking at sea level change and the flooding of the Black Sea region... and the shipwrecks are a happy by-product of that,” she told BBC radio. (afp)

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International

International

RLD

IBP/net

China’s president.

From page 1

“Such a huge investment using the Hong Kong taxpayer’s money... yet basically it is not open to us at all,” said one comment on the South China Morning Post website. But residents in Zhuhai welcomed it.

“I think this bridge will bring great convenience to the whole area of Zhuhai, Hong Kong and Macao, and promote the economic development of the whole area of the Pearl River Delta,” resident Dang Zheiliang told AFP. China already lays claim to the record for the world’s longest bridge of any kind -- the Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge, a viaduct which is part of a highspeed rail line.

Political analyst Willy Lam said the launch by Xi showed his support for Hong Kong’s economic and political integration into the region, adding that the Pearl River Delta had long been the “new growth pole of China”.

It was also timed with a wider push to mark the 40th anniversary of China’s economic reforms, against the backdrop of major challenges to the economy, including the escalating US-China trade conflict, Lam said.

China will mark the anniversary in December of the “reform and opening up” that was launched in 1978 under the late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping, moving away from a Maoist command economy and toward more marketoriented policies that transformed the country into the world’s second-largest economy. (afp)

11

OZAN KOSE / AFP

Women look as Turkish police stand guard as they cordoned off an underground car park, on October 23, 2018 in Istanbul, where an abandoned car belonging to the Saudi consulate has been found, three weeks after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate.

Saudi Arabia in ‘crisis’ in face of Khashoggi murder: minister

RIYADH - Saudi Arabia is in “crisis” in the face of international outrage over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said Tuesday at an investment summit boycotted by a host of global CEOs and policymakers.

An ancient Greek trading ship dating back more than 2,400 years has been found virtually intact at the bottom of the Black Sea, the world’s oldest known shipwreck, researchers said on Tuesday.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

The three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII) was meant to project the historically insular petro-state as a lucrative business destination and set the stage for new ventures and multi-billion dollar contracts.

But the summit, nicknamed “Davos in the desert”, has been overshadowed by the outcry over the murder of Khashoggi inside the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul on October 2, with a string of leading international investors pulling out over the case.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the king’s powerful son whose reform credentials have been heavily damaged by the scandal despite repeated denials he had any involvement in the killing, was a no-show at the opening session.

“As we know these are difficult days. We are going through a crisis,” Falih said in his speech..

Falih said the murder of Khashoggi was regrettable, adding that “nobody in the kingdom can justify it”.

The comments come as Turkish

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded to know who gave the order for Khashoggi’s killing in his country and the location of the slain journalist’s corpse.

- Tight security The Riyadh conference opened amid tight security at Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton hotel, with Russian Direct Investment Fund chief Kirill Dmitriyev and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan headlining.

Falih heaped praise on the CEO of French energy giant Total, Patrick Pouyanne, for standing by Saudi Arabia in this difficult period.

“We see what partnership means when you have difficult times,” Pouyanne responded as he shared the stage with Falih.

“This is when you really strengthen a partnership.”

But a long list of investors and international policymakers have declined to show up in Riyadh in apparent protest against the Khashoggi killing.

Siemens chief executive Joe

Kaeser, corporate chiefs from JP Morgan, Ford and Uber, and media powerhouses like Bloomberg, CNN and the Financial Times all scrapped plans to attend.

Ministers from Britain and France and the United States, which have huge defence deals at stake with Saudi Arabia, have stayed away.

A wider Western boycott of the conference suggests rising political risks in Saudi Arabia that could hit foreign direct investment, which already plunged to a 14-year low last year, according to a UN body.

“Despite talk of reform, FDI inflows into Saudi have stayed low and the scandal will only increase investor uncertainty,” said research firm Capital Economics.

And in a fresh setback, the forum’s website went down on Monday after an apparent cyberattack.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

It was back up with reduced content when the conference opened. (afp)

Indonesian fishermen arrange their nets after a fishing trip at Banda Aceh beach on October 22, 2018.

CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN / AFP

Indonesia committed to enhancing its active roles in UNWTO forums

JAKARTA - Indonesia has expressed its commitment to intensifying its active roles in the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) forums.

“Indonesia lauds the wellestablished cooperation between the Indonesian Embassy in Madrid and UNWTO,” Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain and United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Hermono noted in a statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Madrid received here on Tuesday.

Ambassador Hermono also praised the UNWTO and offered support to the organization to make ongoing approaches through active participation in

the meeting of the UN agencies to draw greater attention to tourism, so that it is viewed in the UN area as a means to supporting the achievement of MDGs goals as well as contributing to the efforts of environmental and cultural preservation.

“Indonesia ranks tourism as one of the main drivers of economic development. It is apparent from the position of the tourism sector as the second-largest nonoil and gas revenue for Indonesia,” the Indonesian ambassador

to Madrid to the secretary general of the UNWTO stated.

The Indonesian Embassy in Madrid was Indonesia`s Permanent Representative to the UNWTO. Since becoming a UNWTO member in 1975 until now, Indonesia has played active roles in various meetings, working group meetings, and task force in mainstreaming tourism in the global agenda, including during the sessions of the Executive Council and General Assembly.

Indonesia currently serves as

chairman of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific.

The Indonesian Embassy in Madrid also announced 19 new tourism destinations, introduced

by Indonesia: Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Tanjung Kelayang in Bangka, Mandalika in NTB, Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi, Morotai in North Maluku, and Labuan Bajo in NTT as well as the four destinations in Java of the Thousand Islands of Jakarta, Tanjung Lesung in Banten, Borobudur in Central Java, and Bromo-Tengger-Semeru in East Java.

In the last three years, the num-

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Manpower is for the first time finalizing a glossary pertaining to the field of employment and expansion of employment opportunities. During this time, several terms related to data, information, programs, and other terminologies in the field of employment and expansion of employment opportunities are lacking or not understood by the community, stakeholders from other institutions, and stakeholders, in general.

“By finalizing this glossary, we

hope that the public would be able to gain a broader understanding on data, information, programs, and terms in the field of employment and expansion of employment opportunities to accelerate and expedite the implementation of employment programs and activities,” the ministry`s Secretary of the Directorate General of Workers Placement and Expansion of Employment Opportunity Edi Purnama noted in a written statement in Yogyakarta, Tuesday.

With the formulation of the glossary, information on employment terms can be disseminated to regions, to make them aware of terminologies in the field of employment and expansion of employment opportunities, especially if the region receives foreign guests or interacts in an international forum.

“We hope that the results in the form of a glossary in the field of manpower placement and expansion of employment opportunities can be useful for people in understanding

terminologies related to foreign employment,” he noted.

Purnama explained that the glossary will later help the community to also understand the technical terms and mechanisms of the Manpower sector, so that in the face of mutations or promotions, it does not take long to adjust and will be able to contribute directly.

“Glossary of the field of manpower placement and expansion of employment opportunities is also needed, especially for those attend-

ber of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia has continued to increase.

In 2017, a total of 14,039,799 tourists were recorded, increasing by 21.88 percent as compared to 11,519,275 tourists in 2016.

The UNWTO continues to play active roles in Asia and Pacific, focusing on several important issues, including improving travel facilities, reducing barriers, catering to the need of infrastructure, ensuring transportation and other infrastructure are appropriate and in line with tourism demand, improving flight connections, and promoting sustainable growth.(ant)

ing international cooperation and cooperation sessions in bilateral, regional, and multilateral forums,” he explained.

Related technical units that have several overseas cooperation activities, both with international organizations, such as the WTO, ILO, G20, APEC, and ASEAN, as well as bilateral ones with Japan (IJEPA), Australia (IA-CEPA), European Union (IEU-CEPA ), and others, are expected to make the best use of this glossary.(ant)

Manpower Ministry compiling glossary in labor placement

10

Destination

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

UBUD - The village of Celuk, located approximately 4km southwest of the Sukawati District, is also Bali’s major centre for goldsmiths and silversmiths. The main road of Jalan Raya Celuk is lined up with galleries and workshops. The village is usually an included stopover on tour itineraries to the central and northern regions such as Ubud and Kintamani. The silver and gold shops line the roads approximately 10km northeast from Denpasar.

The village of Celuk is also a link between Bali’s Batubulan-MasSukawati-Ubud ‘golden pentacle’ of artisans and craftsmen.

Celuk Village

The gold and silver items crafted here are of high quality and feature unique and elaborate designs as the craftsmen are known for their skills and their industriousness.

Almost all of the households in the village are homes to jeweller families and each Celuk villager possesses artistic skills in developing and executing intricate designs and varying patterns. The gold and silver items they produce include souvenirs and mass export items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, studs, broaches and many other Balinese ceremonial accessories and adornments. As a tourism

destination, Celuk welcomes visitors by the day who come to see the elaborate designing and production processes up close and witness a work of art in the making. Also, produce can be purchased directly here. Many of the households act as galleries, showcasing items in their front houses through glass displays and others are viewable in their workshops. Heading eastward along the Jalan Raya Celuk thoroughfare, immediately visible are the rows of galleries and art shops dealing with gold and silver. Several spots also feature items other than jewellery such as uniquely

International

designed silverware; elephant motif spoons, floral design-rich forks, plates and trays and more is for sale here.

The many rows of art shops welcome not only prospective buyers, but also visitors who are merely interested in their design and production processes. Finished products are displayed in 360-degree viewing glass cases, enabling visitors to inspect the designs from all angles.

Should you wish to inspect an item even closer, you may ask the gallery or shopkeeper to take them out for you, and they will be happy to explain the process of production and

other interesting details behind the items. Most of the items have small paper price tags in US$ and, in many cases, IDR. Prices vary according to weight or the intricacy of the design with items such as small pendants starting from IDR 50,000 or approximately US$ 5.5. Complex, magnificent items such as silver sail ships in glass displays, or a temple replica reach a high of about IDR 15 million. Although most of the items bear price tags, bargaining is still possible. A common rule of thumb when buying items at traditional art markets also applies here; start with half of the price on the tag.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

International

Last-gasp Spurs thwart LeBron, Lakers Harry How/Getty Images/AFP

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 143-142 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center on October 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.

LOS ANGELES - An overtime fightback from the San Antonio Spurs left LeBron James waiting for his first win with the Los Angeles Lakers in a high-scoring thriller at the Staples Center on Monday.

San Antonio ran out 143-142 winners after two late free throw misses from James allowed Patty Mills to drain a jump shot for the Spurs with seven seconds remaining to snatch victory.

Mills’ late winner was the final act of a pulsating battle which saw the Lakers overturn a 128-120

deficit with a minute left in the fourth quarter to force overtime, with James raising the roof with a three-pointer to tie the game.

James had looked poised to lead the Lakers to their first victory of the regular season after they surged into a 141-136 lead with 55 seconds of overtime remaining.

But San Antonio regrouped to come storming back and when James missed two free throws that would have given the Lakers a three-point lead, Mills struck to give the Spurs the win.

The defeat left James reflecting on his first 0-3 start to the season since his rookie NBA year in 2003.

The 33-year-old was able to draw positives from the loss, however.

“I know what I got myself

into,” James told reporters. “It’s a process. We’ll be fine. I didn’t come here thinking we were going to be blazing storms right out the gate.

“We’re going to continue to get better. I like the direction we’re going in. Obviously we haven’t got the results or the wins yet, but it’s a long process.”

LaMarcus Aldridge led the scoring for San Antonio with 37 points while DeMar DeRozan added 32.

Kyle Kuzma top scored for the

Lakers with 37 points as James finished with 32 points.

Lakers coach Luke Walton said his team could take positives from the game despite the defeat.

“Overall, very pleased with our guys tonight,” Walton said. “That’s three games we’ve had a chance to win now. Obviously it’s about winning and losing at the end of the day.

“It’s a tough one to take but we’ll be back in the gym tomorrow doing it all over again.” (afp)

Osaka vows to come back stronger after WTA defeat

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It is for Job Vacancy, Property, Selling or Buying Please contact Gugiek : 08123840500

SINGAPORE - Rising Japanese superstar Naomi Osaka has vowed to push through fatigue and atone for her error-strewn loss to Sloane Stephens in her WTA Finals debut in Singapore on Monday.

An error-prone Osaka struggled with her rhythm and faded badly against Stephens, who won 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 in two hours and 25 minutes. The 21-year-old came into the season finale as the in-form player, having won 14 of her previous 16 matches and capturing the US Open.

It has been a whirlwind for Osaka since her stunning victory over Serena Williams at Flushing

Meadows in September.

“I haven’t gone home (to Florida) since the US Open. So of course I’d love to go home, but I’m here right now and I want to do well,” she told reporters.

“I want to give them (fans) a good match to watch. So for me that’s my main priority, and I’m not really tired of that yet. So I just want to keep seeing how far I can go.”

The world number four was visibly frustrated several times and dropped her racquet in disgust after failing to close out the second set in the ninth game.

Osaka, who had 46 unforced

errors, said she hoped to keep her emotions in check moving forward.

“I am a little bit apologetic for doing the stuff that I did,” she said. “I feel like for me I play better when no one knows what I’m thinking. I think I learned a lot from today.”

Osaka has experienced a surge of popularity since her Grand Slam breakthrough and had the crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on her side.

“It was really awesome. I wasn’t really expecting it,” Osaka said of her support. “I heard a lot of cheers.

I’m just really grateful.” (afp)

Roslan RAHMAN / AFP

Japan’s Naomi Osaka reacts after being defeated by Sloane Stephens of the US during their singles match at the WTA Finals tennis tournament in Singapore on October 22, 2018.

8

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Messi injury gives Barca and Dembele chance to prove their worth

Barcelona’s lowest ebbs are invariably followed by questions about Lionel Messi but the issue of over-reliance may become clearer over the coming weeks. The sight of Messi on the ground, grasping his right arm, during Barca’s win over Sevilla on Saturday prompted reactions inside Camp Nou normally reserved for the conceding of goals.

Hands behind heads, fingers over mouths, the concern became real shortly after the final whistle when the club confirmed Messi had fractured his radial bone.

His absence leaves Barca vulnerable when they need him most, for a run of fixtures that includes Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday, the Clasico against Real Madrid on Sunday, before a return match against Inter in Italy at the start of next month.

If he takes longer than expected to recover, he could miss tricky games against Real Betis and Atletico Madrid in La Liga too. Barcelona have grown used to accusations of dependence, not least when results have taken a turn for the worse.

When Ernesto Valverde left Messi on the bench for the 1-1 draw at home to Athletic Bilbao last month, the argument was given added weight by him coming on and making the assist for their equaliser.

“This is Barcelona,” Messi afterwards. “We have a strong team and we have enough not to have to depend on one player.”

The same point was raised last season, when Messi, as a substitute, inspired a late fightback from two goals down against

Sevilla and scored in the 89th minute.

He played the entirety of the Champions League collapse against Roma but then the criticism was Barca had failed to find the answer when Messi had not provided it. There is no team in the world that would not look worse with Messi extracted.

- ‘Casting for replacements’ As Real Madrid are proving in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, a striker’s goals are difficult to replace but so too is the aura. “Emotionally we know when Messi is there he gives us more confidence because he is the best in the world,” Pique said on Saturday. “But it does not have to affect us.”

To maintain a resurgence built on wins over Tottenham and Sevilla, as well as a draw away to Valencia, Valverde will have to find the solution.

On Monday, Marca listed six options in a “casting for replacements” - Ousmane Dembele, Rafinha, Munir El Haddadi, Malcom, Carles Alena and Sergi Roberto.

Alena, the 20-year-old midfielder, is an exciting talent, while Malcom, only a year older, scored 12 goals for Bordeaux last season.

But Dembele is the most obvious. Messi’s position on the right of the front three is where he is most comfortable, rather than off the left, where the 21-year-old has often been made to adapt so far.

After a debut season blighted by injuries, Dembele started the first six games of this one, scoring five goals. But doubts remain about him in big games, where his habit for losing possession can be punished by opponents quick in transition and clinical on the counter-attack.

When Barca went three matches without a win, he was dropped. “He is not yet fully aware of what it means to play at the highest level,” said France coach Didier Deschamps last month. “He still needs to learn,” Valverde said last weekend.

It would be a surprise if Dembele was not at least given the chance at Camp Nou against Inter, who are level on points with Barca in Group B, having also beaten PSV Eindhoven and Tottenham.

Second place might have been the limit of Inter’s ambitions when the draw was made but with Messi out, they might spy an opportunity. “It is a pity,” said Mauro Icardi. “And a big blow for them.”(afp)

Faced with match-fixing scandal, Red Star adopt code of silence

Red Star Belgrade, embroiled in a Champions League matchfixing scandal, have erected a wall of silence around the Rajko Mitic Stadium ahead of their clash with Liverpool on Wednesday.

The trip to Anfield should have been a celebration for the team, 27 years after they won the European Cup, the first and last triumph in the competition for a club from the former Yugoslavia.

But now the match has been overshadowed by suspicion following the announcement that French investigators are probing allegations of match-fixing in the club’s 6-1 thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain in their last Champions League group-stage outing on October 3.

The probe was launched after French sports daily L’Equipe alleged that a senior Red Star official bet five million euros ($5.8 million) on the side losing by a five-goal margin to the French champions. The claims upset many Serbs including Predrag Saric, editor-in-chief of the Sportski Zurnal daily paper.

“Serbs are the ideal culprits.

No one has read yet that the investigation had actually started, but they are already condemned,” Saric told Serbian state-run television channel RTS. He was also surprised that “in the age of modern technology, everything is not yet clear”.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, a long-time Red Star sup-

porter, said he was “very sceptical” regarding the allegations.

“I think that the greatest part of what they are talking about is not true,” he told reporters.

The Serbian leader vowed to “examine every possibility of whether anyone and in any way could have tarnished the name of our club and our country”. After releasing two statements in which they urged a rapid investigation and threatened legal action against L’Equipe for defamation, the club have fallen silent.

Red Star president and Serbian football great Dragan Dzajic hasn’t been answering his mobile phone. General director Zvezdan Terzic said the club had decided not to comment further following

LLUIS GENE / AFP

Barcelona’s Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic (L) celebrates with Barcelona’s French forward Ousmane Dembele after scoring during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona against Sevilla FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on October 20, 2018.

Henry hoping for a break in Champions League bow with Monaco

One newspaper headline described Thierry Henry as “cursed” in the wake of his managerial bow with Monaco, and the France great will be desperate to put that behind him in Wednesday’s Champions League encounter with Club Brugge.

Henry’s long-awaited first game as a coach in his own right ended in a 2-1 defeat at Strasbourg on Saturday, with Monaco’s night marred by goalkeeping errors, a sending-off and injuries.

The headline in question appeared in the following day’s edition of sports daily L’Equipe, and that game certainly made it clear to the 41-year-old that he has a massive job on his hands.

Monaco, the club where Henry began his playing career before going on to star for Arsenal, are in a critical condition, having lost their last five games and gone 11 matches without a win.

They are enduring their worst start to a season in 65 years and their longest run without a league win for a decade.

Monaco may often be mocked for their paltry attendances, but they have a passionate fan base who will be worried for their team, less than 18 months after they won the Ligue 1 title in style.

“I was aware that it would be hard to put something in place after just two days of work,” said Henry

at the weekend, having had limited time on the training ground since taking over.

- Back in Belgium already Better will be required, however, if Monaco are to register their first points in Champions League Group A when they go to Belgium. For Henry, it is an early return to the country after he ended a two-year stint as assistant to Belgium boss Roberto Martinez in order to strike out on his own.

Defeats against Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund mean Monaco remain pointless in Europe, and Wednesday’s match against the Belgian champions offers both

sides a last chance to keep their hopes alive in the group.

More realistically, these teams are now fighting it out for third place and a berth in the Europa League knockout rounds. They meet again at the Stade Louis II on November 6.

“We need to take the positives. The team is starting from zero,” insisted Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans, but there were not a lot of positives from Henry’s debut.

He took a risk by starting Radamel Falcao on his return from international duty, and the Colombian duly came off injured before half-time.

With two experienced goalkeepers sidelined in Danijel Subasic and

Diego Benaglio, the 22-year-old Seydou Sy started and his mistake gifted the hosts their opener. In the second half, Henry sent on Samuel Grandsir only for the talented youngster to be sent off within three minutes of his introduction.

It was a terrible start for France’s all-time leading goal-scorer, but now he is hoping to lead Monaco to a first win in 11 Champions League outings.

The circumstances are daunting, but Henry -- who won the Champions League as a player with Barcelona -- knew what he was signing up for at Monaco, having turned down the Bordeaux job at the start of this season. (afp)

Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP

A pedestrian walks past graffitis at the Red Star Belgrade stadium “Rajko Mitic” (former Marakana) in Belgrade on October 19, 2018. Red Star Belgrade, embroiled in a Champions League match-fixing scandal, have erected a wall of silence around their Marakana stadium ahead of their next match in the competition against Liverpool on October 24.

the initial two statements.

“I won’t comment on the media reports, I can say they don’t affect the team,” said coach Vladan Milojevic. “The players and I are focused on the current competitions.” Sports analyst Mihajlo Todic said the betting allegations looked far-fetched.

- Previous corruption He doubted a bookmaker could accept a five-million-euro bet on something which was “blatant”, referring to the high probability that Red Star would be heavily beaten by one of Europe’s elite clubs.

“The left foot of (right-footed) Neymar is worth more than the whole Red Star team,” fan Dragan Nikolic, 42, said. Todic said “match-fixing would have required participation of PSG”, an accusation dismissed out of hand by the French club.

Independent Vreme weekly

9

pointed to a record of previous corruption in sport in Serbia.

“Match-fixing and money laundering sound familiar in Serbia,” it commented. Serbian football in general and its two leading clubs -- Red Star and Partizan Belgrade -- have a nefarious reputation.

Some of their hardcore fans, after first serving as paramilitaries during the 1990s Balkans conflicts, have now joined the underworld. They have been involved in gang shootings and often have trouble with the law.

The legal structure of Serbian clubs, which are officially public property, remain opaque and it is unclear who controls them.

Red Star were heavily indebted for a long time but Terzic said in September that the club’s debt had been “cut to 13 million euros, which means that we have repaid 41 million euros”. Terzic, elected general director in 2014, is a controversial figure.(afp)

8

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Messi injury gives Barca and Dembele chance to prove their worth

Barcelona’s lowest ebbs are invariably followed by questions about Lionel Messi but the issue of over-reliance may become clearer over the coming weeks. The sight of Messi on the ground, grasping his right arm, during Barca’s win over Sevilla on Saturday prompted reactions inside Camp Nou normally reserved for the conceding of goals.

Hands behind heads, fingers over mouths, the concern became real shortly after the final whistle when the club confirmed Messi had fractured his radial bone.

His absence leaves Barca vulnerable when they need him most, for a run of fixtures that includes Inter Milan in the Champions League on Wednesday, the Clasico against Real Madrid on Sunday, before a return match against Inter in Italy at the start of next month.

If he takes longer than expected to recover, he could miss tricky games against Real Betis and Atletico Madrid in La Liga too. Barcelona have grown used to accusations of dependence, not least when results have taken a turn for the worse.

When Ernesto Valverde left Messi on the bench for the 1-1 draw at home to Athletic Bilbao last month, the argument was given added weight by him coming on and making the assist for their equaliser.

“This is Barcelona,” Messi afterwards. “We have a strong team and we have enough not to have to depend on one player.”

The same point was raised last season, when Messi, as a substitute, inspired a late fightback from two goals down against

Sevilla and scored in the 89th minute.

He played the entirety of the Champions League collapse against Roma but then the criticism was Barca had failed to find the answer when Messi had not provided it. There is no team in the world that would not look worse with Messi extracted.

- ‘Casting for replacements’ As Real Madrid are proving in the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, a striker’s goals are difficult to replace but so too is the aura. “Emotionally we know when Messi is there he gives us more confidence because he is the best in the world,” Pique said on Saturday. “But it does not have to affect us.”

To maintain a resurgence built on wins over Tottenham and Sevilla, as well as a draw away to Valencia, Valverde will have to find the solution.

On Monday, Marca listed six options in a “casting for replacements” - Ousmane Dembele, Rafinha, Munir El Haddadi, Malcom, Carles Alena and Sergi Roberto.

Alena, the 20-year-old midfielder, is an exciting talent, while Malcom, only a year older, scored 12 goals for Bordeaux last season.

But Dembele is the most obvious. Messi’s position on the right of the front three is where he is most comfortable, rather than off the left, where the 21-year-old has often been made to adapt so far.

After a debut season blighted by injuries, Dembele started the first six games of this one, scoring five goals. But doubts remain about him in big games, where his habit for losing possession can be punished by opponents quick in transition and clinical on the counter-attack.

When Barca went three matches without a win, he was dropped. “He is not yet fully aware of what it means to play at the highest level,” said France coach Didier Deschamps last month. “He still needs to learn,” Valverde said last weekend.

It would be a surprise if Dembele was not at least given the chance at Camp Nou against Inter, who are level on points with Barca in Group B, having also beaten PSV Eindhoven and Tottenham.

Second place might have been the limit of Inter’s ambitions when the draw was made but with Messi out, they might spy an opportunity. “It is a pity,” said Mauro Icardi. “And a big blow for them.”(afp)

Faced with match-fixing scandal, Red Star adopt code of silence

Red Star Belgrade, embroiled in a Champions League matchfixing scandal, have erected a wall of silence around the Rajko Mitic Stadium ahead of their clash with Liverpool on Wednesday.

The trip to Anfield should have been a celebration for the team, 27 years after they won the European Cup, the first and last triumph in the competition for a club from the former Yugoslavia.

But now the match has been overshadowed by suspicion following the announcement that French investigators are probing allegations of match-fixing in the club’s 6-1 thrashing by Paris Saint-Germain in their last Champions League group-stage outing on October 3.

The probe was launched after French sports daily L’Equipe alleged that a senior Red Star official bet five million euros ($5.8 million) on the side losing by a five-goal margin to the French champions. The claims upset many Serbs including Predrag Saric, editor-in-chief of the Sportski Zurnal daily paper.

“Serbs are the ideal culprits.

No one has read yet that the investigation had actually started, but they are already condemned,” Saric told Serbian state-run television channel RTS. He was also surprised that “in the age of modern technology, everything is not yet clear”.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, a long-time Red Star sup-

porter, said he was “very sceptical” regarding the allegations.

“I think that the greatest part of what they are talking about is not true,” he told reporters.

The Serbian leader vowed to “examine every possibility of whether anyone and in any way could have tarnished the name of our club and our country”. After releasing two statements in which they urged a rapid investigation and threatened legal action against L’Equipe for defamation, the club have fallen silent.

Red Star president and Serbian football great Dragan Dzajic hasn’t been answering his mobile phone. General director Zvezdan Terzic said the club had decided not to comment further following

LLUIS GENE / AFP

Barcelona’s Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic (L) celebrates with Barcelona’s French forward Ousmane Dembele after scoring during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona against Sevilla FC at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on October 20, 2018.

Henry hoping for a break in Champions League bow with Monaco

One newspaper headline described Thierry Henry as “cursed” in the wake of his managerial bow with Monaco, and the France great will be desperate to put that behind him in Wednesday’s Champions League encounter with Club Brugge.

Henry’s long-awaited first game as a coach in his own right ended in a 2-1 defeat at Strasbourg on Saturday, with Monaco’s night marred by goalkeeping errors, a sending-off and injuries.

The headline in question appeared in the following day’s edition of sports daily L’Equipe, and that game certainly made it clear to the 41-year-old that he has a massive job on his hands.

Monaco, the club where Henry began his playing career before going on to star for Arsenal, are in a critical condition, having lost their last five games and gone 11 matches without a win.

They are enduring their worst start to a season in 65 years and their longest run without a league win for a decade.

Monaco may often be mocked for their paltry attendances, but they have a passionate fan base who will be worried for their team, less than 18 months after they won the Ligue 1 title in style.

“I was aware that it would be hard to put something in place after just two days of work,” said Henry

at the weekend, having had limited time on the training ground since taking over.

- Back in Belgium already Better will be required, however, if Monaco are to register their first points in Champions League Group A when they go to Belgium. For Henry, it is an early return to the country after he ended a two-year stint as assistant to Belgium boss Roberto Martinez in order to strike out on his own.

Defeats against Atletico Madrid and Borussia Dortmund mean Monaco remain pointless in Europe, and Wednesday’s match against the Belgian champions offers both

sides a last chance to keep their hopes alive in the group.

More realistically, these teams are now fighting it out for third place and a berth in the Europa League knockout rounds. They meet again at the Stade Louis II on November 6.

“We need to take the positives. The team is starting from zero,” insisted Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans, but there were not a lot of positives from Henry’s debut.

He took a risk by starting Radamel Falcao on his return from international duty, and the Colombian duly came off injured before half-time.

With two experienced goalkeepers sidelined in Danijel Subasic and

Diego Benaglio, the 22-year-old Seydou Sy started and his mistake gifted the hosts their opener. In the second half, Henry sent on Samuel Grandsir only for the talented youngster to be sent off within three minutes of his introduction.

It was a terrible start for France’s all-time leading goal-scorer, but now he is hoping to lead Monaco to a first win in 11 Champions League outings.

The circumstances are daunting, but Henry -- who won the Champions League as a player with Barcelona -- knew what he was signing up for at Monaco, having turned down the Bordeaux job at the start of this season. (afp)

Andrej ISAKOVIC / AFP

A pedestrian walks past graffitis at the Red Star Belgrade stadium “Rajko Mitic” (former Marakana) in Belgrade on October 19, 2018. Red Star Belgrade, embroiled in a Champions League match-fixing scandal, have erected a wall of silence around their Marakana stadium ahead of their next match in the competition against Liverpool on October 24.

the initial two statements.

“I won’t comment on the media reports, I can say they don’t affect the team,” said coach Vladan Milojevic. “The players and I are focused on the current competitions.” Sports analyst Mihajlo Todic said the betting allegations looked far-fetched.

- Previous corruption He doubted a bookmaker could accept a five-million-euro bet on something which was “blatant”, referring to the high probability that Red Star would be heavily beaten by one of Europe’s elite clubs.

“The left foot of (right-footed) Neymar is worth more than the whole Red Star team,” fan Dragan Nikolic, 42, said. Todic said “match-fixing would have required participation of PSG”, an accusation dismissed out of hand by the French club.

Independent Vreme weekly

9

pointed to a record of previous corruption in sport in Serbia.

“Match-fixing and money laundering sound familiar in Serbia,” it commented. Serbian football in general and its two leading clubs -- Red Star and Partizan Belgrade -- have a nefarious reputation.

Some of their hardcore fans, after first serving as paramilitaries during the 1990s Balkans conflicts, have now joined the underworld. They have been involved in gang shootings and often have trouble with the law.

The legal structure of Serbian clubs, which are officially public property, remain opaque and it is unclear who controls them.

Red Star were heavily indebted for a long time but Terzic said in September that the club’s debt had been “cut to 13 million euros, which means that we have repaid 41 million euros”. Terzic, elected general director in 2014, is a controversial figure.(afp)

10

Destination

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

UBUD - The village of Celuk, located approximately 4km southwest of the Sukawati District, is also Bali’s major centre for goldsmiths and silversmiths. The main road of Jalan Raya Celuk is lined up with galleries and workshops. The village is usually an included stopover on tour itineraries to the central and northern regions such as Ubud and Kintamani. The silver and gold shops line the roads approximately 10km northeast from Denpasar.

The village of Celuk is also a link between Bali’s Batubulan-MasSukawati-Ubud ‘golden pentacle’ of artisans and craftsmen.

Celuk Village

The gold and silver items crafted here are of high quality and feature unique and elaborate designs as the craftsmen are known for their skills and their industriousness.

Almost all of the households in the village are homes to jeweller families and each Celuk villager possesses artistic skills in developing and executing intricate designs and varying patterns. The gold and silver items they produce include souvenirs and mass export items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, studs, broaches and many other Balinese ceremonial accessories and adornments. As a tourism

destination, Celuk welcomes visitors by the day who come to see the elaborate designing and production processes up close and witness a work of art in the making. Also, produce can be purchased directly here. Many of the households act as galleries, showcasing items in their front houses through glass displays and others are viewable in their workshops. Heading eastward along the Jalan Raya Celuk thoroughfare, immediately visible are the rows of galleries and art shops dealing with gold and silver. Several spots also feature items other than jewellery such as uniquely

International

designed silverware; elephant motif spoons, floral design-rich forks, plates and trays and more is for sale here.

The many rows of art shops welcome not only prospective buyers, but also visitors who are merely interested in their design and production processes. Finished products are displayed in 360-degree viewing glass cases, enabling visitors to inspect the designs from all angles.

Should you wish to inspect an item even closer, you may ask the gallery or shopkeeper to take them out for you, and they will be happy to explain the process of production and

other interesting details behind the items. Most of the items have small paper price tags in US$ and, in many cases, IDR. Prices vary according to weight or the intricacy of the design with items such as small pendants starting from IDR 50,000 or approximately US$ 5.5. Complex, magnificent items such as silver sail ships in glass displays, or a temple replica reach a high of about IDR 15 million. Although most of the items bear price tags, bargaining is still possible. A common rule of thumb when buying items at traditional art markets also applies here; start with half of the price on the tag.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

International

Last-gasp Spurs thwart LeBron, Lakers Harry How/Getty Images/AFP

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers during a 143-142 loss to the San Antonio Spurs at Staples Center on October 22, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.

LOS ANGELES - An overtime fightback from the San Antonio Spurs left LeBron James waiting for his first win with the Los Angeles Lakers in a high-scoring thriller at the Staples Center on Monday.

San Antonio ran out 143-142 winners after two late free throw misses from James allowed Patty Mills to drain a jump shot for the Spurs with seven seconds remaining to snatch victory.

Mills’ late winner was the final act of a pulsating battle which saw the Lakers overturn a 128-120

deficit with a minute left in the fourth quarter to force overtime, with James raising the roof with a three-pointer to tie the game.

James had looked poised to lead the Lakers to their first victory of the regular season after they surged into a 141-136 lead with 55 seconds of overtime remaining.

But San Antonio regrouped to come storming back and when James missed two free throws that would have given the Lakers a three-point lead, Mills struck to give the Spurs the win.

The defeat left James reflecting on his first 0-3 start to the season since his rookie NBA year in 2003.

The 33-year-old was able to draw positives from the loss, however.

“I know what I got myself

into,” James told reporters. “It’s a process. We’ll be fine. I didn’t come here thinking we were going to be blazing storms right out the gate.

“We’re going to continue to get better. I like the direction we’re going in. Obviously we haven’t got the results or the wins yet, but it’s a long process.”

LaMarcus Aldridge led the scoring for San Antonio with 37 points while DeMar DeRozan added 32.

Kyle Kuzma top scored for the

Lakers with 37 points as James finished with 32 points.

Lakers coach Luke Walton said his team could take positives from the game despite the defeat.

“Overall, very pleased with our guys tonight,” Walton said. “That’s three games we’ve had a chance to win now. Obviously it’s about winning and losing at the end of the day.

“It’s a tough one to take but we’ll be back in the gym tomorrow doing it all over again.” (afp)

Osaka vows to come back stronger after WTA defeat

Place Your Add Here

It is for Job Vacancy, Property, Selling or Buying Please contact Gugiek : 08123840500

SINGAPORE - Rising Japanese superstar Naomi Osaka has vowed to push through fatigue and atone for her error-strewn loss to Sloane Stephens in her WTA Finals debut in Singapore on Monday.

An error-prone Osaka struggled with her rhythm and faded badly against Stephens, who won 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 in two hours and 25 minutes. The 21-year-old came into the season finale as the in-form player, having won 14 of her previous 16 matches and capturing the US Open.

It has been a whirlwind for Osaka since her stunning victory over Serena Williams at Flushing

Meadows in September.

“I haven’t gone home (to Florida) since the US Open. So of course I’d love to go home, but I’m here right now and I want to do well,” she told reporters.

“I want to give them (fans) a good match to watch. So for me that’s my main priority, and I’m not really tired of that yet. So I just want to keep seeing how far I can go.”

The world number four was visibly frustrated several times and dropped her racquet in disgust after failing to close out the second set in the ninth game.

Osaka, who had 46 unforced

errors, said she hoped to keep her emotions in check moving forward.

“I am a little bit apologetic for doing the stuff that I did,” she said. “I feel like for me I play better when no one knows what I’m thinking. I think I learned a lot from today.”

Osaka has experienced a surge of popularity since her Grand Slam breakthrough and had the crowd at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on her side.

“It was really awesome. I wasn’t really expecting it,” Osaka said of her support. “I heard a lot of cheers.

I’m just really grateful.” (afp)

Roslan RAHMAN / AFP

Japan’s Naomi Osaka reacts after being defeated by Sloane Stephens of the US during their singles match at the WTA Finals tennis tournament in Singapore on October 22, 2018.

6

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

World’s oldest intact shipwreck found in Black Sea LONDON - An ancient Greek trading ship dating back more than 2,400 years has been found virtually intact at the bottom of the Black Sea, the world’s oldest known shipwreck, researchers said on Tuesday.

The vessel is one of more than 60 shipwrecks identified by the Black Sea Maritime Archaeology Project including Roman ships and a 17th-century Cossack raiding fleet.

During the three-year project, researchers used specialist remote deep-water camera systems previously used in offshore oil and gas exploration to map the sea floor.

“A small piece of the vessel has been carbon dated and it is confirmed as the oldest intact shipwreck known to mankind,” the project said in a statement.

The ship, which is lying on its side with its mast and rudders intact, was dated back to 400 BC -- a time when the Black Sea was a trading hub filled with Greek colonies.

The team said the vessel, previously only seen in an intact state on the side of ancient Greek pottery, was found at a depth of more than 2,000 metres (6,500 feet).

The water at that depth is oxygen-free, meaning that organic material can be preserved for thousands of years.

“A ship, surviving intact, from the Classical world, lying in over two kilometres of water, is something I would never have believed possible,” said Professor Jon Adams from the University of Southampton in southern England, the project’s main investigator.

“This will change our understanding of shipbuilding and seafaring in the ancient world,” he said.

Helen Farr, a project team member, said: “We have bits of shipwreck which are earlier but this one really looks intact”.

“The project as a whole was actually looking at sea level change and the flooding of the Black Sea region... and the shipwrecks are a happy by-product of that,” she told BBC radio. (afp)

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International

International

RLD

IBP/net

China’s president.

From page 1

“Such a huge investment using the Hong Kong taxpayer’s money... yet basically it is not open to us at all,” said one comment on the South China Morning Post website. But residents in Zhuhai welcomed it.

“I think this bridge will bring great convenience to the whole area of Zhuhai, Hong Kong and Macao, and promote the economic development of the whole area of the Pearl River Delta,” resident Dang Zheiliang told AFP. China already lays claim to the record for the world’s longest bridge of any kind -- the Danyang–Kunshan Grand Bridge, a viaduct which is part of a highspeed rail line.

Political analyst Willy Lam said the launch by Xi showed his support for Hong Kong’s economic and political integration into the region, adding that the Pearl River Delta had long been the “new growth pole of China”.

It was also timed with a wider push to mark the 40th anniversary of China’s economic reforms, against the backdrop of major challenges to the economy, including the escalating US-China trade conflict, Lam said.

China will mark the anniversary in December of the “reform and opening up” that was launched in 1978 under the late paramount leader Deng Xiaoping, moving away from a Maoist command economy and toward more marketoriented policies that transformed the country into the world’s second-largest economy. (afp)

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OZAN KOSE / AFP

Women look as Turkish police stand guard as they cordoned off an underground car park, on October 23, 2018 in Istanbul, where an abandoned car belonging to the Saudi consulate has been found, three weeks after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate.

Saudi Arabia in ‘crisis’ in face of Khashoggi murder: minister

RIYADH - Saudi Arabia is in “crisis” in the face of international outrage over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said Tuesday at an investment summit boycotted by a host of global CEOs and policymakers.

An ancient Greek trading ship dating back more than 2,400 years has been found virtually intact at the bottom of the Black Sea, the world’s oldest known shipwreck, researchers said on Tuesday.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

The three-day Future Investment Initiative (FII) was meant to project the historically insular petro-state as a lucrative business destination and set the stage for new ventures and multi-billion dollar contracts.

But the summit, nicknamed “Davos in the desert”, has been overshadowed by the outcry over the murder of Khashoggi inside the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul on October 2, with a string of leading international investors pulling out over the case.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the king’s powerful son whose reform credentials have been heavily damaged by the scandal despite repeated denials he had any involvement in the killing, was a no-show at the opening session.

“As we know these are difficult days. We are going through a crisis,” Falih said in his speech..

Falih said the murder of Khashoggi was regrettable, adding that “nobody in the kingdom can justify it”.

The comments come as Turkish

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan demanded to know who gave the order for Khashoggi’s killing in his country and the location of the slain journalist’s corpse.

- Tight security The Riyadh conference opened amid tight security at Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton hotel, with Russian Direct Investment Fund chief Kirill Dmitriyev and Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan headlining.

Falih heaped praise on the CEO of French energy giant Total, Patrick Pouyanne, for standing by Saudi Arabia in this difficult period.

“We see what partnership means when you have difficult times,” Pouyanne responded as he shared the stage with Falih.

“This is when you really strengthen a partnership.”

But a long list of investors and international policymakers have declined to show up in Riyadh in apparent protest against the Khashoggi killing.

Siemens chief executive Joe

Kaeser, corporate chiefs from JP Morgan, Ford and Uber, and media powerhouses like Bloomberg, CNN and the Financial Times all scrapped plans to attend.

Ministers from Britain and France and the United States, which have huge defence deals at stake with Saudi Arabia, have stayed away.

A wider Western boycott of the conference suggests rising political risks in Saudi Arabia that could hit foreign direct investment, which already plunged to a 14-year low last year, according to a UN body.

“Despite talk of reform, FDI inflows into Saudi have stayed low and the scandal will only increase investor uncertainty,” said research firm Capital Economics.

And in a fresh setback, the forum’s website went down on Monday after an apparent cyberattack.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.

It was back up with reduced content when the conference opened. (afp)

Indonesian fishermen arrange their nets after a fishing trip at Banda Aceh beach on October 22, 2018.

CHAIDEER MAHYUDDIN / AFP

Indonesia committed to enhancing its active roles in UNWTO forums

JAKARTA - Indonesia has expressed its commitment to intensifying its active roles in the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) forums.

“Indonesia lauds the wellestablished cooperation between the Indonesian Embassy in Madrid and UNWTO,” Indonesian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain and United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Hermono noted in a statement from the Indonesian Embassy in Madrid received here on Tuesday.

Ambassador Hermono also praised the UNWTO and offered support to the organization to make ongoing approaches through active participation in

the meeting of the UN agencies to draw greater attention to tourism, so that it is viewed in the UN area as a means to supporting the achievement of MDGs goals as well as contributing to the efforts of environmental and cultural preservation.

“Indonesia ranks tourism as one of the main drivers of economic development. It is apparent from the position of the tourism sector as the second-largest nonoil and gas revenue for Indonesia,” the Indonesian ambassador

to Madrid to the secretary general of the UNWTO stated.

The Indonesian Embassy in Madrid was Indonesia`s Permanent Representative to the UNWTO. Since becoming a UNWTO member in 1975 until now, Indonesia has played active roles in various meetings, working group meetings, and task force in mainstreaming tourism in the global agenda, including during the sessions of the Executive Council and General Assembly.

Indonesia currently serves as

chairman of the UNWTO Commission for East Asia and the Pacific.

The Indonesian Embassy in Madrid also announced 19 new tourism destinations, introduced

by Indonesia: Lake Toba in North Sumatra, Tanjung Kelayang in Bangka, Mandalika in NTB, Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi, Morotai in North Maluku, and Labuan Bajo in NTT as well as the four destinations in Java of the Thousand Islands of Jakarta, Tanjung Lesung in Banten, Borobudur in Central Java, and Bromo-Tengger-Semeru in East Java.

In the last three years, the num-

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Manpower is for the first time finalizing a glossary pertaining to the field of employment and expansion of employment opportunities. During this time, several terms related to data, information, programs, and other terminologies in the field of employment and expansion of employment opportunities are lacking or not understood by the community, stakeholders from other institutions, and stakeholders, in general.

“By finalizing this glossary, we

hope that the public would be able to gain a broader understanding on data, information, programs, and terms in the field of employment and expansion of employment opportunities to accelerate and expedite the implementation of employment programs and activities,” the ministry`s Secretary of the Directorate General of Workers Placement and Expansion of Employment Opportunity Edi Purnama noted in a written statement in Yogyakarta, Tuesday.

With the formulation of the glossary, information on employment terms can be disseminated to regions, to make them aware of terminologies in the field of employment and expansion of employment opportunities, especially if the region receives foreign guests or interacts in an international forum.

“We hope that the results in the form of a glossary in the field of manpower placement and expansion of employment opportunities can be useful for people in understanding

terminologies related to foreign employment,” he noted.

Purnama explained that the glossary will later help the community to also understand the technical terms and mechanisms of the Manpower sector, so that in the face of mutations or promotions, it does not take long to adjust and will be able to contribute directly.

“Glossary of the field of manpower placement and expansion of employment opportunities is also needed, especially for those attend-

ber of foreign tourists visiting Indonesia has continued to increase.

In 2017, a total of 14,039,799 tourists were recorded, increasing by 21.88 percent as compared to 11,519,275 tourists in 2016.

The UNWTO continues to play active roles in Asia and Pacific, focusing on several important issues, including improving travel facilities, reducing barriers, catering to the need of infrastructure, ensuring transportation and other infrastructure are appropriate and in line with tourism demand, improving flight connections, and promoting sustainable growth.(ant)

ing international cooperation and cooperation sessions in bilateral, regional, and multilateral forums,” he explained.

Related technical units that have several overseas cooperation activities, both with international organizations, such as the WTO, ILO, G20, APEC, and ASEAN, as well as bilateral ones with Japan (IJEPA), Australia (IA-CEPA), European Union (IEU-CEPA ), and others, are expected to make the best use of this glossary.(ant)

Manpower Ministry compiling glossary in labor placement

12

International

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

BUSINESS Cryptocurrency bitcoin marks 10 years

October 31, 2008 marked the birth of bitcoin. Ten years on, the world’s first cryptocurrency is at the forefront of a complex financial system viewed warily by markets and investors. From its first evocation amid a global financial crisis, in a white paper written by Satoshi Nakamoto, an unknown pseudonym, bitcoin conveyed a political vision.

The “abstract” set out in the paper for bitcoin, currently worth about $6,400 per unit from a starting point of virtually zero, was for “a purely peer-to-peer version of electronic cash (that) would allow online payments to be sent directly from one party to another without going through a financial institution.”

A decade on, this continues to be carried out via a decentralised registry system known as a blockchain.

Such ambition for a cryptocurrency was fuelled by the bankruptcy of US investment bank Lehman Brothers in September 2008, an event that discredited the traditional system of “a small elite of bankers... (that) establishes monetary rules imposed on everybody”, according to Pierre Noizat, founder of the first French bitcoin exchange in 2011. Following its creation, bitcoin evolved for several years away from the public eye, grabbing the attention for the most part of geeks and criminals -- the latter seeing it as a way to launder money.

After bitcoin surpassed $1,000 for the first time in 2013, it began to attract the attention of financial institutions.

The European Central Bank compared it to a Ponzi scheme, but Ben Bernanke, then head of the US Federal Reserve, hailed its potential.

- A turbulent childhood In early 2014, the cryptocurrency faced its biggest crisis to date, with the hacking of the Mt. Gox platform, where about 80 percent of all bitcoins were traded. The result was a collapse in their value, leading to predictions of the virtual currency’s death.

It took until early 2017 for bitcoin’s price to fully recover. That marked the start of a “turning point” according to Noizat, as the controversial cryptocurrency then rocketed to more than $19,500 by the end of the year according to Bloomberg data.

That meant bitcoin had a total capitalisation of more than $300 billion, according to the specialised website Coinmarketcap. By January 2018 the value of all cryptocurrencies exceeded $800 billion, before the bubble burst. The concept of a digital currency has progressed substantially thanks to bitcoin, cryptocurrency analyst Bob McDowall told AFP, pointing to the creation of 2,000 rivals. “It becomes more than a technological, economic innovation. It almost becomes a religion for some people,” he noted.

According to Anthony Lesoismier, co-founder of investment fund Swissborg which offers portfolios based on blockchain, “the real revolution has been on a philosophical level”. But for economist Nouriel Roubini, decentralisation in crypto is a myth.

“It is a system more centralised than North Korea. Miners are centralised, exchanges are centralised, developers are centralised dictators,” Roubini tweeted.

If the initial idea was for bitcoin to facilitate payments, a majority of observers recognise that it is used above all as a store of value or as a speculative instrument owing to volatility in its value.

“You need 20 years for this kind of... technology to take hold completely,” said Noizat, who is banking on faster transaction speeds for bitcoin. (afp)

Bali News

International

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Krisik Waterfall Increasingly Visited by Tourists

5

Community of Tembuku village Bangli, keeps exploring the existing natural potential to be developed into an attractive tourist destination. After successfully featuring a tourist destination named the Tukad Cepung Waterfall, now the village community has another attraction named the Krisik Waterfall.

The new tourist object is presented and managed by farmers of Subak Tembuku Kelod.

AP Photo/Alastair Grant

British Prime Minister Theresa May walks off the podium after a media conference during an EU summit in Brussels, Thursday, Oct. 18, 2018. EU leaders met for a second day on Thursday to discuss migration, cybersecurity and to try and move ahead on stalled Brexit talks.

Most UK firms to trigger Brexit safety plans ‘by Christmas’

LONDON - The vast majority of British firms are poised to implement their Brexit contingency plans by Christmas if there isn’t greater clarity over the country’s exit from the European Union, a leading business group warned Sunday.

The Confederation of British Industry said these plans could include cutting jobs, adjusting supply chains outside the U.K., stockpiling goods and relocating production and services overseas.

The warning comes amid growing fears that Britain may crash out of the EU in March without a deal on the future relationship. That could see tariffs placed on British exports, border checks reinstalled, and restrictions imposed travelers and workers — a potentially toxic combination for businesses.

“The situation is now urgent,” said Carolyn Fairbairn, the CBI’s director general. “The speed of negotiations is being outpaced by the reality firms are facing on the ground.”

Discussions between the two sides have hit an impasse largely over how to maintain an open border between EU member Ireland and Northern

Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom.

A summit of EU leaders last week failed to yield a breakthrough. December is now the next scheduled EU summit, leaving the Brexit process tight ahead of Britain’s official departure date on March 29. Even if a divorce deal is forged, there are doubts over British Prime Minister Theresa May’ ability to secure the necessary majority in Parliament, given bitter divisions on the topic.

“Unless a Withdrawal Agreement is locked down by December, firms will press the button on their contingency plans,” said Fairbairn. “Jobs will be lost and supply chains moved.”

Fairbairn’s warning was based on a survey of 236 member firms tilted toward small and medium-sized companies with up to 500 employees, undertaken from Sept. 19 to Oct. 8. The survey

found that 82 percent of firms will have started to implement contingency plans

by December if the Brexit process isn’t any clearer.

The CBI also said that 80 percent of firms say Brexit has already had a negative impact on their investment decisions, more than double the 36 percent recorded a year ago. The survey found that 66 percent of businesses said Brexit has had an impact on the attractiveness of the U.K. as a place to invest, while 24 percent said there had been no impact.

Some big companies are becoming increasingly vexed by the impasse in the Brexit talks. Last week, ahead of the summit in Brussels, pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca and carmaker Ford issued statements raising doubts about their investments in Britain. “Uncertainty is draining investment from the U.K.,” said Fairbairn. (ap)

Krisik Waterfall is located at Tembuku Kelod hamlet. To reach the location of waterfall, visitors must go through an overlay of farmers’ paddy fields and irrigation channels with very clear water.

After going through the fields, visitors still have to explore short pathway. Prior to arriving at the location of waterfall, visitors need to pass a very beautiful stone wall with lovely texture.

Chief of Subak Gede Tembuku Kelod, I Wayan Sumada, when met on Sunday (Sep. 30) stated the waterfall has begun to be arranged by the members of Subak Tembuku Kelod since last March.

Inspired by many tourists getting interested in seeing the agriculture of the surrounding villagers after visiting the Tukad Cepung tourist attraction, local farmers then tried to arrange the potential owned like the waterfall into a tourist destination. Hopefully, it can develop and prosper the people of Tembuku

village.

Though it was just arranged and opened, so far there are adequately many tourists coming to enjoy the natural atmosphere of Krisik Waterfall. “We present this Krisik waterfall as additional attraction. Our main feature is trekking activity crossing the paddy fields remaining to be cultivated traditionally as well as natural scenery of Mount Agung,” he explained while being accompanied by the treasurer of Subak Tembuku Kelod, I Wayan Pintu.

He explained the waterfall is named Krisik (Balinese word) because the waterfall sounds to gurgle. The name has also been used by local people since a long time ago to call the location. According to ancestral stories, the water falling among the rocks has never dried up, despite facing a long dry season.

Since it remains relatively new, he admitted that many things must

still be arranged to attract more tourist visits to the waterfall. In the arrangement, the foremost thing to

The Action of Bats Seduces Visitors at Tanah Lot

Apart from the beauty of sunset view, Tanah Lot also features another attraction showing off millions of fruit bats embellishing the sky over the exotic Tanah Lot. The nocturnal animals fly very beautifully, going here and there while looking for food and decorating the sky after the nightfall. This animal having the mouth like that of mouse can fly very fast while catching insects as the prey.

The movement of foraging bats becomes a unique attraction favored by foreign tourists.

The bats scattered in the sky after sunset become the target of camera shots of tourists. They are even willing to postpone their time of departure from the object in order to watch the bats clustering at night. For tourists, the attraction is very attractive.

This animal becoming the identity of Batman superhero can indeed be found everywhere.

However, the bats at Tanah Lot attraction indeed look beautiful. They are looking for fruits or flying insects.

The bats live in the caves around the Tanah Lot Beach. Some others also live in the local leaves growing nearby. “The habit of foraging bats becomes a concern of tourists. Lately, their action is eagerly awaited by tourists to capture this natural moment,” said Made, a local security officer.

Meanwhile, Jero Niti, Promotion Section Officer of the Tanah Lot Attraction, said that lately the action of foraging bats looks very beautiful as natural tourist attraction. This attraction has been available from long time ago, but the number was not so much. “Lately, millions of bats appear and fly around the sky. Even though it looks vague because of approaching the night, tourists still want to wait for them,” she explained. (kmb)

be done is to make the Krisik Waterfall free from plastic waste. “In the future, we are going to establish

a tourism-aware group (Pokdarwis) to manage the tourism objects,” he said. (kmb)

Rice Porridge Can Heal Heatiness

Are you a foodie? Do not be surprised if Balinese people have a number of dishes that are not only delicious, but also useful for healing. For instance, they have rice porridge. It is not included in the popular types of food, but some people still make this rice porridge. Interestingly, this rice porridge takes advantage of rice waste, so it is not wasted.

Rice porridge is a menu of people on the Island of the Gods, especially in rural areas that are more engaged as farmers.

Before heading out to paddy field, moor or doing their job as a farm laborer, they will make a rice cracker for their refreshment.

Other than applied to workers, people having fever, sore throat or other illnesses are often given this rice porridge.

The type of rice porridge is usually eaten warm, so it feels more enjoyable and people believe it can heal inner heat and shore throat. This porridge also serves as a breakfast for students at villages who will attend school. The rice porridge is also commonly made during rainy season. Cool atmosphere of village will get warmer when eating rice porridge with the family.

The rice porridge has a yellow color as the effect of the seasoning in use namely the turmeric. To make this traditional menu healthier, the rice porridge is usually mixed with spinach or sweet leaf.

When cooking, it is also filled with bay leaves, resulting in a distinctive taste. Eating rice porridge will be more delicious when accompanied with crackers of fried sticky cake.

The ingredients used consist of rice waste, local spices, bay leaves and water.

The spices are dominated with turmeric, then add a little galangal, ginger, aromatic ginger, garlic, onion, chili, coriander, pepper, candlenut, shrimp paste, coconut oil and salt (to taste) and a bay leaf (to taste) as well.

Preparation: first of all, turmeric, galangal, ginger and aromatic ginger are finely chopped. Onion and garlic are sliced ??and then mixed with other ingredients, and then ground to make it smooth. Similarly, candlenut, pepper and coriander can be crushed or blender to be smoothed, too.

After that, put into the basin and then cook the rice waste and add coconut oil. Stir it well so the seasoning can mix thoroughly with the rice.

The next process is to put the mixed rice into the pan. Add water and salt to taste. Put spinach or sweet leaves and two pieces of bay leaves. Heat it for about 20 minutes or until cooked. Finally, take out the porridge and now it is ready to be served. In order to taste better, it can be added with fried onions and crispy crackers. (kmb)

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Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Bali News

International

Bali must have strong blueprint and arguments

I Gusti Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya

IBP/kmb

DENPASAR - Bali needs to be given special authority in terms of tourism management. With the special authority, Bali tourism is believed to be able to develop better. However, Bali needs to prepare a blueprint or a tourism master plan so that Bali tourism development is more directed and diplomatic arguments to central government can be stronger.

Chairman of the Indonesia Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) of Badung Chapter, I Gusti Ngurah Rai Suryawijaya, stated that about ten years ago in the framework of developing tourism, Bali had ever planned to give special autonomy in the field of tourism, but had not succeeded.

“Right now, the special authority is considered important to be put into discourse again because the ideals of the Governor and Deputy Governor of Bali are now heading for One Island One Management, and one commander. Thus, Bali clearly has the blue print of tourism development where it will develop Disneyland, airport, train, flyovers or other attractions that can improve the competitiveness of Bali tourism,” he explained on Monday (Oct. 22) when contacted by Bali Post.

According to him, this special authority is very possible to implement so that Bali in the future will have a specialization in the field of tourism. He is confident and optimistic that the existence of special authority, one island one management and one commander will have a positive impact on Bali.

Bali is very possible to implement special authority if allowed by central government. In terms of human resources, Bali already

has owned. As evidence, Bali has been named as the best tourist destination in the world for several times. Besides, Bali has cultural and customs advantages.

Reputation of Bali is already famous in the world so that it’s easy to promote. “In addition, there must also be a blueprint or road map that will be clear later on. With quality human resources, the natural resources owned must be further developed so that it is more productive in the future,” he added.

What needs to be done now is heading for specific authorities as the commitment of all stakeholders in the region. Thus, the executive and legislative as the representative of Bali can fight for it in the central government.

“The representatives in the Central House of Representatives, Regional Representatives Council and the executives should lobby to central government so that Bali gets special authority in the field of tourism management, although it remains synergized with central government, both in the development and promotion,” he said.

The decision whether to be permitted or not will much depends on the policy of central government and how to provide political diplomacy at top level.

Chairman of the Bali Tourism Community Association (AMPB), I Gusti Kade Sutawa, said that basically he agreed that Bali has special authority so that Bali possesses a strong bargaining position.

With this authority, Bali can become a hub, center, funnel and the icon of Indonesian tourism.

“Bali can promote other regions,” he said. However, the important note for Bali to apply for the special authority is the master plan or blueprint. So far, Bali does not have a clear master plan on Bali tourism. “What kind of infrastructure does it want, how does the zoning look like and what about the carrying capacity?” he asked.

Moreover, the most frequent discourse about Bali’s infrastructure is the connectivity between northern Bali, southern Bali, eastern Bali and western Bali.

This infrastructure development should be transparent and announced to the public. According to him, all this time it is never clear and gives impression if the development is carried out sporadically and without a plan. One thing he highlighted is about the matter of managing destination management. The associations along with the government should play an important role in managing destinations. (kmb42)

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

International

13

New Vietnam president sworn in after 99.8% vote

HANOI - Vietnam lawmakers on Tuesday elected as president Communist Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong, the only candidate on the ballot, making him the most powerful man in the country where consensus leadership has traditionally kept strongman rule in check.

IBP/kmb24

Achievement of this high rice planting target happens due to the long rainy season, so that almost all of the regions of raw land cultivation can be planted with rice.

Rice planting target in 2018 reaches 95 percent

TABANAN - Tabanan government targeted the paddy planting during the period of October 2017-March 2018 and April 2018-September 2018 can be realized as much as 95 percent.

Achievement of this high rice planting target happens due to the long rainy season, so that almost all of the regions of raw land cultivation can be planted with rice.

Based on the data, the planting area in Tabanan reaches 21,089 hectares. The target of planting rice for the period October 2017 to March 2018 amounted to 20,924 hectares. This target could be achieved at 20,766 hectares or 99.24 percent. Meanwhile during the April 2018 to September 2018 planting period, it had the same planting area and the planting target is set at 19,771 hectares and the realization reached 18,220 hectares or 91.23 percent. In total, the planting target of Tabanan in 2018 reached 40,895 hectares with a realization of 38,986 hectares or around 95 percent.

Division Head of the Production and Horticulture Improvement at the Tabanan Agriculture Agency, Wayan Suandra, stated on Monday (Oct. 22) the realization of planting target in 2018 exceeded the planting target in 2017 only reaching around 80 percent. “Realization in 2018 is

higher because the rainy season is longer than in 2017,” he said.

He explained that long dry season in 2017 caused many farmers to delay their planting because they waited for the availability of water.

A different thing happened in 2018 where during the April-September planting period it still rained even though it should have entered dry season in April. As a result, some farmers planted rice instead of crops. “‘Since there is enough water available some farmers are able to grow rice three times a year.

Necessarily, they follow twice rice planting season and then crops after it,” explained Suandra.

This can be seen from the data of the planting period of October 2017-March 2018 in which four out of 10 sub-districts in Tabanan could realize more than 100 percent of the planting target, namely the Kediri with 103.93 percent, Baturiti with 112.60 percent, Penebel with

131.99 percent and Pupuan with 122.91 percent.

In the meantime, for the April 2018 to September 2018 planting period there were also four subdistricts exceeding 100 percent of the planting target, namely the West Selemadeg with 135.32 percent, Selemadeg with 106.13 percent, Kediri with 100.42 percent and Baturiti with 217.44 percent.

Suandra explained the achievement of exceeding 100 percent was possible because of the long rainy season, causing farmers to re-plant rice for the third time or the land usually unable to be planted in the dry season due to the unavailability of water was finally able to be planted with rice. “The planting target in an area is calculated based on the availability of water, potential land area to be cultivated and other requirements. If there is water, surely the land can be planted with rice,” he added. (kmb24)

Trong was ushered into his new role as head-of-state with 99.8 percent of the vote from Vietnam’s rubber stamp parliament members a month after the former president died from a prolonged illness.

Though the president’s role is seen as largely ceremonial, 74-year-old Trong will maintain his position as party head -- the first person to hold both roles since revolutionary leader Ho Chi Minh in the late 1960s.

His new position was cemented in a tightly orchestrated swearing-in ceremony on Tuesday after an overwhelming vote from 477 lawmakers, with only one vote against, according to the government’s website.

“I, president of Vietnam vow to be completely loyal to the nation, people and constitution,” Trong said at the ceremony, speaking beneath a large bust of Ho Chi Minh.

“This is a very huge honour, while at the same time, a very heavy responsibility for me,” he added, acknowledging his advanced age.

His election comes as no surprise after the Communist Party’s Central Committee put his name forward as the only contender last month following the death of Tran Dai Quang.

His dual role in two of the so-called “four-pillar” top leadership positions allows

AFP

Vietnam communist party chief Nguyen Phu Trong takes oath as country’s president at the National Assembly hall in Hanoi on October 23, 2018.

Trong to yield a huge amount of power in the government whose inner workings are often shielded from the public.

The two other “pillars” are the prime minister and National Assembly chair.

Analysts say Trong is likely to forge ahead with an anti-corruption campaign that

he has spearheaded since his re-election as party chief in 2016, which has seen dozens of top officials, executives and bankers put behind bars.

His time in office has also coincided with a crackdown on dissidents, with more than 55 jailed this year alone, according to an AFP

tally, that rights groups say shows no sign of abating under Trong.

The US ambassador to Vietnam congratulated Trong on the post Tuesday, celebrating cosying ties between the former war foes who are both seeking to counter China’s rising military and economic might. (afp)

Buffaloes plough through annual Thai racing festival

Jewel SAMAD / AFP

Jockeys ride buffaloes during the annual buffalo races in Chon Buri on October 23, 2018. Several hefty buffaloes thunder down a dirt track in eastern Thailand, kicking up dust as they are urged toward the finish line by whip-wielding jockeys perched on their backs.

CHONBURI - Several hefty buffaloes thunder down a dirt track in eastern Thailand, kicking up dust as they are urged toward the finish line by whip-wielding jockeys perched on their backs.

It’s a display of strength and agility from the riders, who risk life and limb in their bid for glory -- and a top prize of 8,000 baht (US$240).

The race is the highlight of the annual week-long buffalo festival held in the coastal town of Chonburi which is now into its 147th year. Buffalo trainer Pongsak Khanngern, 44, has entered two of his animals into the contest.

“I have trained them for months and I am confident that one of them will win,” he said.

The decades-old tradition started

as a way for farmers to blow off steam during the slow moments of an arduous rice-planting season, and over time many superstitions developed around it.

If a buffalo fell sick for example, farmers would pray to the spirits of their ancestors to heal it; if the animal recovered, a race would be offered in thanks.

On Tuesday, some 500 buffaloes were competing.

“There? are? ?many youngsters attending and? (a lot of) interest in? this event,” mayor Chutharut Parinwachirapud said of the crowds, which numbered in the thousands at the festival.

For centuries, these gentle giants were of immense practical importance -- ploughing the fields, providing transport, and even defend-

ing villages in times of conflict.

But as farming became mechanised, buffaloes have taken on a symbolic role, acting as a reminder of Thailand’s farming tradition.

Near the race track, farmers splashed water over the buffaloes’ glossy hides to keep them cool under the sun as they wait for their race category.

Phaichit Payindee has been competing for years, and prides herself in keeping last year’s reigning champion, four-year-old Ruang, strong and healthy.

“Today my buffalo is ready to defend his champion title,” the 42-year-old said, adding that she doesn’t care about the money at stake.

“It’s not about the prize, but my buffalo’s reputation.” (afp)

14

Technology

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

International

International

Sea shell-decorated keben craft of Kukuh village

Brexit backer Dyson to make electric cars in Singapore LONDON - British electric appliance pioneer Dyson said Tuesday it had picked Singapore as the site for its first electric car plant, sparking criticism of the company’s Brexit-backing billionaire founder for not investing more in British manufacturing.

Dyson, founded and owned by serial entrepreneur James Dyson, said the factory was scheduled for completion in 2020 as part of a £2.5 billion (2.8 billion euro, $3.3 billion) global investment drive in new technology.

The company, best known for its cordless vacuum cleaners, hand dryers and fans, is aiming to launch electric vehicles in 2021.

“The decision of where to make our car is complex, based on supply chains, access to markets and the availability of the expertise that will help us achieve our ambitions,” Dyson chief executive Jim Rowan said in a statement.

“Our existing footprint and team in Singapore, combined with the nation’s significant advanced manufacturing expertise, made it a frontrunner. Singapore also offers access to high-growth markets as well as an extensive supply chain and a highly-skilled workforce,” Rowan said.

“Singapore has a comparatively high cost base, but also great technology expertise and focus. It is therefore the right place to make high quality technology loaded machines, and the right place to make our electric vehicle.”

The company already has production facilities in Malaysia and Singapore.

- ‘Snubbed Britain for Singapore’ Best for Britain, an anti-Brexit campaign group, called the news “astonishing”.

“He’s snubbed Britain for Singapore,” the group tweeted.

Opposition Labour MP Ian Murray, a supporter of Best for Britain, said: “When even someone who claims there will be a resurgence in British manufacturing after Brexit isn’t prepared to put his money where his mouth is, it raises serious questions”.

But Singapore welcomed the decision, which Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said will see car assembly return to the city-state for the first time since the 1980s.

“Now we will manufacture cars again, except this time greener, better, and more high-tech!” he wrote on his Facebook page.

Dyson announced his decision to launch electric cars last year -- a sector in which the company will face stiff competition from established players.

Electric vehicles are increasing in popularity as governments worldwide drive forward plans to gradually phase out polluting petrol and diesel cars.

Dyson told AFP in an interview earlier this year that electric cars were already available to order and the manufacturing location would be either in Britain or Asia.

Dyson, a vocal supporter of the campaign to leave the EU, said he was confident the EU and Britain would reach an agreement on free trade after Britain leaves the bloc.

“I think it would be hurtful to both sides not to do that,” he said.

The company said that 2017 operating profit surged by almost one third to around £800 million, aided by fast growth in China, India, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Revenues leapt 40 percent to £3.5 billion.

Dyson employs more than 12,000 people across the world, including 4,800 in Britain. (afp)

IBP/net

British electric appliance pioneer Dyson said Tuesday it had picked Singapore as the site for its first electric car plant.

IBP/net

The UK government has cut subsidies that helped people pay for electric vehicles and hybrids.

London Uber drivers to charge electric car fee

LONDON - Uber is planning to add a surcharge to all fares booked via its app in London to help its drivers buy electric vehicles.

The fee, expected to be 15p per mile, will be introduced “early” in 2019.

Uber said drivers working for 40 hours per week could get cash help of about £1,500 a year from passengers via the top-up fee.

The ride-hailing firm said the scheme would also contribute towards plans to curb air pollution in the capital.

Uber said it expected the scheme to raise more than £200m ($260m) over the “next few years” to help drivers swap vehicles. It said the fee would add about 45p to the average London journey.

It hopes to hand cash to 20,000 drivers to help them switch by 2021 and get all of them converted by the middle of that decade. Uber currently has about 40,000 drivers in London.

High cost Dara Khosrowshahi, Uber’s chief executive, said in a statement that the plan was a “a long-term investment in the future of London aimed at going all electric in the capital in 2025”.

He added: “Over time, it’s our goal to help people replace their car with their phone by offering a range of mobility options - whether cars, bikes, scooters or public transport - all in the Uber app.”

It said the introduction of the fee would build on other partnerships it has fostered to improve

London’s infrastructure for electric vehicles which have led to the installation of more charging points.

The initiative comes soon after the UK government cut subsidies for buying greener cars. From 9 November, grants for plug-in hybrids will stop and those for all-electric cars will shrink from £4,500 to £3,500.

Professor David Bailey, an expert in industrial strategy from Aston University, said the move was a “welcome first step”.

“Uber is not doing this out of the goodness of its heart,” he told the BBC, explaining that larger London plans to clean up the capital’s air will put more and more restrictions on the types of vehicles that can pass through it.

“If they don’t act they risk not having any drivers or customers,” he said.

“The move to electric cars is going to happen anyway and they want to be seen to be playing their part,” said Prof Bailey.

Other concrete steps Uber could take would involve it letting drivers of electric vehicles keep more of the cash passengers pay, he said.

“There are still quite significant barriers to electric vehicle take-up,” said Prof Bailey.

The relatively high cost of electric vehicles was one factor, as was the lack of charging points and fears about range.

Those problems would be solved in time, he said, but government and other policy makers also needed to think about smarter ways to get people moving to using electric cars and other vehicles. (IBP/net)

TABANAN — Keben or ritual basket craft is a pretty much developed craft in Bali. Since many craftsmen take advantage of the same raw material, craftsmen of Kukuh village, Marga, should look for different things to make it look unique and then choice falls on the usage of sea shells as decoration.

One of the craftsmen, Wayan Suryani, 46, stated that she has deeply involved in the craft business with her sister since ten years ago. At that time, the craft used glass ornaments. However, since more and more craftsmen apply such glass decoration, she and her sister then tried new material namely sea shells.

Unfortunately, to meet the shell raw material, Suryani should be brought in it from Java. “The sea shell used for decoration is very difficult to find in here Bali. So, I must bring in it from Java,” she said. At least, there are six types of sea shells used either of the large-sized shells to be further cut into small piece or the small ones.

For once ordering sea shell, said Suryani, she usually requests 100 kilograms per type of shell. The order is made when receiving an order from consumers. “Our order is fluctuating. Sometimes there are a few pieces in a month and sometimes we get no order at all. So, the order of the shell is made if there are already craft orders,” she said.

Commonly, the keben crafts are ordered on average of 30 pieces.

To meet the order, she should engage six craftsmen where one craftsman can accomplish two pieces of keben basket each day.

The price offered for this shell-decorated craft varies based on the complexity of the design and the variety of sea shells in use.

On average, the price is between IDR 200,000 and IDR 300,000.

Meanwhile, other than fulfilling the demand in Bali, this shelldecorated handicraft also draw the interest of consumers from outside Bali. “Some buyers from Sulawesi also order my craft products,” concluded Suryani. (kmb24)

Bali News

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

3

IBP/kmb

Although having been complained by residents, the excavation in Kutuh village area to be used for garbage processing facility continues to run.

Though complained

Construction of the garbage processing site at Kutuh continues

MANGUPURA — Although having been complained by residents, the excavation in Kutuh village area to be used for garbage processing facility continues to run. Moreover, the realization will be carried out in the 2019 fiscal year through the rural budget plan or APBDes. This was disclosed by headman of Kutuh, Wayan Purja, when contacted on Sunday (Oct. 21).

IBP/kmb24

The price offered for this shell-decorated craft varies based on the complexity of the design and the variety of sea shells in use.

Wayan Purja who is also the owner of the excavated land said that through the village program, the area will be arranged into the location of garbage management. Accidentally, the land belongs to his property and is contracted by local village through a cooperation agreement. “Actually, this garbage processing site is for the sake of public interest. This is what we will explain later on, including the objectives and plans to the provincial government on Monday (Oct. 22),” he said.

The waste processing site construction is made considering that Kutuh village needs a landfill. Since location of the garbage disposal everywhere is problematic, it was then decided to make the waste processing facility. Hopefully, in addition to reducing the waste problem, this can also create job opportunities for local residents. They can be empowered to handle this waste processing facility.

Regarding the complaints of residents near the location, his authority indeed had not conduct dissemination previously. According to him, the housing complex is

located beyond the village or outside the Kutuh area, namely the Kampial area. In addition, the housing was built after the excavation. “This excavation has been running for 1.5 years, while the housing has been around six months ago,” he said.

If there is an objection, he considered it natural. Purja said they do not know exactly what will be made. He said the waste processing site will certainly be needed by residents. Most importantly, it will not be polluting the environment.

Regarding the permit, there is no permit for a landfill (TPA) in South Kuta. However, the permit for the waste processing place is considered to be still possible.

Related to this, residents around the excavation site are worried about the location to be getting prone to landslides because the excavation is close enough reaching 20 meters.

People hoped the excavation can be stopped because it threatens safety as the excavation position from the housing is only a meter away.

In addition, residents also recommended not using the location for processing waste. They consider the

garbage can pollute the environment because it is adjacent to their residence. A number of residents living in the housing near the location of the excavation will send a letter to the governor of Bali. “We hope the governor can stop the project. We have complained to the Badung legislator personally but we are advised to file the objection to the governor,” said one of the residents rejecting his name to be published.

When confirmed separately, Chairperson of the Commission II of the Badung House of Representatives, Wayan Luwir Wiana, hoped the headman of Kutuh can sit together with the affected residents.

This needs to be done to find the best solution to the complaint. His commission in the Badung House of Representatives does not have the authority to follow up on this matter.

The authority of excavation lies in the provincial government of Bali.

Later on when the team from Bali province comes down to inspect the location, if the Commission II of the Badung House of Representatives is involved, he is ready to go down together. (kmb23)

2

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Bali News

International

International

The meeting in Bali’s Parliament Office

IBP/Rindra

Parliament interrupts on the issues of Bali sold cheaply

DENPASAR —Plenary Session of the Bali House of Representatives held on Monday (Oct. 22) was interrupted by two members. Interruptions of the legislators remain to have relation to the issues that Bali is being sold cheaply in China. The parliament requested there should be a special meeting to discuss about this issue comprehensively.

“Yesterday, deputy governor had already made inspection with the Bali Tourism Board (BTB/ GIPI—Ed) and there are many evidences of violations. For instance, they have something to do with immigration violations and the use of Indonesia’s identity,” said Secretary of Commission III of the Bali House of Representatives, I Ketut Kariyasa Adnyana.

If there is indeed a violation, Kariyasa asked it should be immediately followed up because the practices are not good for Bali tourism. In particular, the Island of the Gods already succeeded in hosting the IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting. Today, Bali looks more special in the eyes of the world community.

Supposedly, tourism leads to quality tourism and not mass tourism.

On that account, there should be no untrue deals between the tourism mafia and the tourism players considered to have violated.

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

15

NEW EXECUTIVE CHEF WITH NEW MENU AT BALI PARAGON

Gianyar govt delivers price hike of admission ticket to tourist objects GIANYAR —The government delivered the price hike plan of admission ticket to a number of tourist attractions managed by the Gianyar district government. Moreover, the price increase reaches IDR 50,000 per person for foreign tourist. However, the Gianyar Tourism Office claimed that such plan is still under discussion.

Head of the Gianyar Tourism Office, A.A. Bagus Ari Brahmanta, when asked for his confirmation on Monday (Oct. 22) stated there is indeed a government plan to raise admission ticket price for a number of attractions such as Tirta Empul Temple. “This plan still has to be discussed with related institutions, such as ASITA, Regional House of Representatives to customary villages because the tourist objects are not entirely owned by the government but also by customary villages,” he said.

Related to this discussion, he claimed to be still waiting for a call from the legislatives to hold a joint discussion at the Gianyar House of Representatives. “We are going to make joint discussions with the parliament, but we’re still waiting for a call,” he said.

Admittedly the ticket price at IDR 50,000 per person indeed increases significantly, from the previous price of IDR 15,000 for adult and IDR 7,500 for child. He added the price according to the old regional regulation remains valid for all tourist objects managed

by Gianyar district government. “It is the price of ticket according to the old regional regulation, but now there is a new one which just needs an approval,” he said.

Gung Ari revealed that last October 2018, there was a new regional regulation regarding the admission ticket to tourist objects having already been approved. In the new regulation, the ticket price is IDR 30,000 for foreign tourists and IDR 20,000 for domestic tourists. “Actually, this new regional regulation just needs enforcing, and already had an agreement with ASITA and other agencies,” he said.

Gung Ari also acknowledged that all this time the revenue of the whole tourist objects managed by the Gianyar district government reached tens of billions of rupiahs every year. “On average, it always increases every year in line with the increasing tourist visits,” he said.

Previously, a legislator of the Gianyar House of Representatives, Wayan Gede Sudarta, asked the government to pay attention to facilities at tourist attractions. He reminded the executives not to immediately raise the admission ticket price of tourist objects before fixing the facility. “If the government raises the levies, but the services are not balanced, tourists might turn away from Gianyar,” he complained.

Sudarta also reminded that the price increase in admission ticket should be reviewed. This is considered important so as not to simply increase for the achievement of regionally generated revenue (PAD).

“The increase in levies must be carefully reviewed, not just pursuing the revenue because we want to keep Gianyar in long-term,” he said. (kmb35)

Activities

“Of course, we would like to obtain the answers from the governor or later on there will be a special meeting to follow up this issue,” explained this PDI-P politician.

A member of Commission I of the Bali House of Representatives I, I Nyoman Tirtawan, admitted to regret the presence of Chinese store network suspected of sponsoring the cheap travel packages to Bali.

Besides, they use the Garuda symbol on their invoice or warranty receipt. According to him, this is a form of blasphemy against the state symbols. This Nasdem Party politician begged the police and other relevant agencies to immediately follow up on the alleged crimes.

“Secondly, there is also ‘seizure’ against the right of souvenir shop because foreign products are sold in Bali and they apply WeChat payment method. In other words, it is not detected, and no one pays taxes,” he added.

Chairman of the Bali House of Representatives, I Nyoman Adi Wiryatama, asserted that he would immediately discuss about this issue by inviting relevant agencies.

In essence, Bali tourism must make tourists and local people happy to equally get the results.

Meanwhile, Deputy Governor of Bali, Tjok Oka Artha Ardhana Sukawati, said that Bali must also be heartened because the lack of supervision helped make prices cheaper. In terms of the number of hotel rooms, for example, the current supply is too much. That is why hotel prices can be suppressed by outsiders. Then, this type of accommodation has developed into a hostel, where one room may accommodate six or more beds.

“So, guests rent per divan. If one room has six divans and each is rented at IDR 50,000, it means that the room will get IDR 300,000,” he affirmed. (kmb32)

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Bali Paragon Resort Hotel, 4-star hotel with 379 luxury rooms, is pleased to announce Harto Wijaya as the newly appointed Executive Chef. In hisrole, Chef Harto will lead daily food operations in all outlets, menu conceptualization and staff management while implementing new culinary concepts in line with the latest industry trends.

Chef Harto Wijaya has nearly 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry, most recently with Four Points by Sheraton Seminyak Bali. Prior to joining Bali Paragon Resort Kuta, Chef Harto was working at Le Grande Suites Pecatu and Ramayana Hotel as in charge for some unit of restaurants with many kind of food specialties.

Delighted to join with team at Bali Paragon Resort Hotel, Chef Harto said that is amazing to always learn about culinary; as Chef Harto said, it is interesting to see the development of culinary industry, because as another industries, culinary is growth not only about creation but art as well. By his experience and passion for Gastronomy and Asian cuisine, start in November he will presents new menu of Tablespoon Coffee House. The new menu is a celebration of the diverse flavors of the worldwide cuisine with a menu driven by fresh ingredients to create authentic and fresh flavors; which the highlights on the menu are Balinese Bebek Goreng, Pasta Tom Yum, Pan Seared Salmon, Pan Seared Crispy Skin Seabass.“It is an honour to join with this dynamic team at Bali Paragon. As a new 4-star hotel in Jimbaran, Bali Paragon Resort Hotel has earned stellar reputation and achieved good value in hospitality business. I look forward to helping develop strategy and support the Tablespoon Coffee House as a restaurant in Bali Paragon and delighted to present the new a la carte menu to our guest, so that they enjoy the diverse flavors of the worldwide cuisine, especially Balinese,” said Chef Harto.

Tablespoon Coffee House at Bali Paragon is a luxury, elegance extensive on day dining menu of delicious cuisine from local, international and Chinese cuisine specialties. The venue of Tablespoon Coffee House features a visually dramatic show an open kitchen as well as décor and the light snacks, the dining for lunch or dinner daily operation daily operation hours from 11 AM to 10.30 PM. Tablespoon Coffee House is a casual spot located adjacent to the main swimming pool serving a selection of refreshing beverages. We are looking forward to welcoming you at our restaurant and enjoying favorite dishes by Chef Harto.

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

16 Pages Number 218 10th year

I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Price: Rp 3.000,-

Wednesday, October 24, 2018

David Beckham says his marriage to Victoria is ‘hard work’

LOS ANGELES - David Beckham has said being married to his wife Victoria is “hard work”. He told an Australian TV show: “To be married for the amount of time that we have, it’s always hard work, everybody knows that but you make it work.

Beckham praised his wife’s success in the fashion business.

IBP/net

“You make difficult situations like travelling away, being away from each other, you make it work.”

The ex-footballer has been married for 19 years and they have four children - Brooklyn, 19, Romeo, 16, and Cruz, 13, and Harper, seven.

Speaking to The Sunday Project about how the relationship has endured, he said: “I think marriage is always about hard work.

“Your children, they want your time and they deserve your time and we are hard working and we feel that is the right way to bring up our children to prove and to show to them you have to work really hard to be successful.”

He also praised his wife’s success in the fashion business, saying she had achieved a lot “in such a short space of time”.

Beckham was speaking before joining the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in Australia for the Invictus Games for injured service personnel.

He said: “With Harry, to have come up with something that changes people’s lives is incredible and I’m going over as an ambassador of the games but I’m really going over as a fan.”

Rumours this summer that the couple were set to divorce were strongly dismissed by a spokesman as “bizarre” and “fake social media news”.

Victoria Beckham appeared to be having some rest and recuperation this week, posting a picture on Instagram of a break at a luxury spa in Germany and calling it an “amazing experience”.

(IBP/net)

Chris Hemsworth picks up hitchhiker - in his helicopter

CALIFORNIA - Most hitchhikers will have more than a few interesting tales to share about their adventures. But Scott Hildebrand can probably top them all. After arriving in Brisbane from Mexico, the musician managed to bum a ride with Australian actor Chris Hemsworth and his friend Luke Zocchi - and then found himself travelling by helicopter.

The pair told him their chosen

mode of transport after first picking him up in their car.

With a bird’s-eye view of the Gold Coast, he made the 100-mile trip to Byron Bay in style.

Thor star Hemsworth posted a video of the journey on Instagram, saying: “Picked up a hitchhiker, wasn’t a serial killer which we were stoked about and just happened to be a kick ass musician Scott Hildebrand.”

The clip has been viewed more

than 1.5 million times, with thousands of people commenting on the post.

In an interview with E! News, Hildebrand said the experience was “so cool and unexpected”.

“They’re so nice and I couldn’t believe it was happening,” he said.

(IBP/net)

You can find International Bali Post at: 1 Kuta Beach Club Jl. Bakung Sari Kuta 2 Wen Dys Kuta the Coffe Bear Jl. Pantai Kuta 3 Seminyak Paradiso Bali Hotel Jl. Camplung Tanduk 4 Ramayana Resort&Spa Jl. Bakung Sari Kuta 5 The Lokha Legian Resort&Spa Jl. Padma Legian Kuta 6 66 Corner Live Sport Emtertaiment Jl. Doble Six/Werkudara 23 7 Leghawa Grill Jl. D.Tamblingan No. 51 8 Retno Barr dan Restoran Jl. D.Tamblingan No.126 A Sanur 9 Elkomedor Jl. D.Tamblingan 140

10 Malaika Scret 11 Snack Shack 12 Warung Lokal 13 Cokro Cafee 14 T.J.Bar 15 J & N Kebab 16 Goanna Bar 17 Batu Jimbar 18 Ramayana Cafee

Jl. D.Poso No 68 Jl. D.Poso No. 50D Jl. D.Poso No. 39 Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Poso Sanur Jl. D.Tamblingan Sanur Jl. D.Tamblingan

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Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Anthony WALLACE / AFP

An aerial view taken on October 22, 2018, shows a section of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge (HKZM) in Hong Kong. The world’s longest sea-bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China will be launched October 23, at a time when Beijing seeks to tighten its grip on its territories.

China’s president inaugurates Hong Kong-mainland mega bridge

China’s President Xi Jinping officially opened the world’s longest sea bridge connecting Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China Tuesday, at a time when Beijing is tightening its grip on its semi-autonomous territories.

Chris Hemsworth is best known for playing Thor.

28 Kopi Made Jl. Raya Puputan No. 106 Dps 29 Dimsum Manan Jl. Raya Niti Mandala Renon No 148 30 Furama Jl. Raya Niti Mandala No. 148 Renon 31 Warung Subah Renon Jl. Mohamad Yamin No.18 32 Ayam Betutu khas Gilimanuk Jl. Merdeka No.88 Renon 33 Bali Bakery Jl. Hayam Wuruk 184 Denpasar

e-mail: info_ibp@balipost.co.id online: http://www.internationalbalipost.com. http://epaper.internationalbalipost.com.

The 55-kilometre (34-mile) crossing, which includes a snaking road bridge and underwater tunnel, links Hong Kong with the southern mainland city of Zhuhai and the gambling enclave of Macau, across the waters of the Pearl River Estuary.

Xi presided over an inauguration ceremony attended by Hong Kong’s and Macau’s city leaders at a new port terminal in Zhuhai.

“I declare the Hong KongZhuhai-Macau bridge officially open,” Xi said in a one-line address, as digital fireworks exploded on a screen behind him at the indoor ceremony, before leaving the stage

immediately.

Supporters of the multi-billiondollar bridge promote it as an engineering marvel that will boost business and cut travel time, but critics say it is one more way to integrate Hong Kong into China as fears grow that the city’s cherished freedoms are being eroded.

China’s Vice Premier Han Zheng characterised the bridge as part of the development of the Greater Bay Area -- a Beijing-driven project to create an economic hub linking nine southern mainland cities to Hong Kong and Macau. At the ceremony he described the strategy as “deployed and driven by Xi

Jinping personally”. Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam said the bridge would help transform Hong Kong from a “connector to a more active participant”.

Some Hong Kong social media comments accused Lam of “selling out” to Xi and portrayed her as Piglet to his Winnie the Pooh, as she was wearing an all-pink outfit.

It is the second major infrastructure project tying Hong Kong to mainland China to launch in a matter of weeks, after the opening of a high-speed rail link last month that sparked criticism Hong Kong was giving away territory -- with part of the terminus coming under mainland jurisdiction.

The main section of the new bridge is also considered mainland territory, even though Hong Kong was slated to pay at least half the

cost of the project, according to the original blueprint from the city’s government.

Hong Kong cars and drivers travelling over it “must comply with the laws and regulations of the mainland”, the city’s transport department said.

Building began in 2009 and has been dogged by delays, budget overruns, corruption prosecutions and the deaths of construction workers. The total price tag is unclear but some estimates run to over 100 billion yuan ($14.4 billion).

- Limited use Hong Kong residents will only be granted a licence to cross into Zhuhai by car if they meet highly selective criteria, including holding certain mainland government positions or making major contributions

to charities in the southern Chinese province of Guangdong.

Most people will need to travel on coaches and buses. Some Hong Kong media reported that the physical condition of bus drivers would be monitored by cameras, including an alert sent if a driver yawns more than three times in 20 seconds. Online commenters in Hong Kong complained about the bridge’s restricted access ahead of the launch.

Continued to page 6

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