Comments on: Kuningan at Pura Tanah Lot Bali

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 21 Mar 2005 23:14:11 +0000

I am undecided in my feeling towards the banjar. On the one hand they are traditional and organize religious events and play are large role in the community.

On the other hand Indonesia is a country with laws, its not the Wild West (or East). Any case involving a westener versus a local is always going to come out in the locals favor.

A good thing the banjar does is force employers to hire locals (hotels, restaurants etc.) THe bad thing is this going around demanding money. Ika said in Java a somewhat similar organisation will come around and ask for donations, not demanding a fixed figure.

I can see where this whole thing is heading, and that is the banjar actually becoming like the Hong Kong mafia (I used to live in Hong Kong) whereby each mafia group controls certain streets and places have to pay protection money every month ( a fact of life widely known and accepted in Hong Kong).

The vibe of the banjar get together was very positive though with traditional dress, nice people, decent food and a general good atmosphere.

By: Tracey.D.

Tracey.D. — Mon, 21 Mar 2005 11:41:50 +0000

I actually think it works well, It sounds bad, but the Banjar are really responsible for that suburb area, they keep it clean as such in regards to trouble, thieving etc…
It sounds mafia like, but I believe it actually works better than the police!?

By: Carl Parkes

Carl Parkes — Mon, 21 Mar 2005 09:07:37 +0000

The local Seminyak Banjar Association sounds like a Mafia group to me — either pay up or we close down your business. Is there any way to bust this racket? Isn’t everybody tired of this shakedown? Seminyak, I think, should lead the movement against this intimidation.