Bali Legislative Council Rejects Geothermal Exploitation

Denpasar (Antara Bali) - Bali Legislative Council (DPRD) rejects the exploitation of a geothermal project project after the governor and the council issued a similar recommendation for the project in  Bedugul, Tabanan regency, Bali.

"We strongly reject the plan to continue the Bedugul geothermal project, because it is contrary to culture and religion," said Chairman of Commission I of the Bali Legislative Council (DPRD) Made Arjaya here, Friday.

Arjaya admitted that he was disappointed with the government's attitude which is conveyed through the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Jero Wacik in a visit with the Indonesian Parliament members (DPR-RI) on the upstream electricity special committee (Panja) on Thursday (15/12).

"We are aware that Bali's electricity consumption will continue  increasing in the future but the Bedugul Geothermal is not necessary because it is contrary to culture and religion if forced to operate," Arjaya said.

Arjaya said to get the electrical energy needed in Bali is not necessarily at the expense of "upstream" (mountains or forests), because electrical energy can be supplied by Java.

According to Balinese culture, mountains and forests are sacred because they are  believed as sources of life, and geothermal drilling, means it has damaged the sanctity, he said.

The government is legitimate to look for an alternative energy source of electricity, but it must not sacrifice the interests of the people and culture of local communities, Arjaya said.

Earlier, Minister Jero Wacik said that the geothermal potential project  in Bedugul will be continued, despite the controversy.

To facilitate the exploration, Wacik promised to provide free electricity to all the residents within a radius of 10 kilometers from the center of the source.

According to Minister Wacik, the Bedugul geothermal exploration has actually been started in 1995, but there has been no maximum result due to many issues that following the plan such as cultural and religious issues in Bali.(*)