In general, the Balinese are ok. The majority Hindu population is very much about live and let live. Geographically Balli is a very small part of Indonesia, but it remains a haven for SME's, both Hindu and Muslim. Enough Muslims to support the local mosque, and some thriving local restaurants and other muslim based businesses.
Bali even now, is still a cheap cost of living destination for Australians and any other white faced westerner, because we are all comparatively wealthy, in their eyes.
Bali depends on tourism, which offers a better return for both Hindu and muslim businesses. It remains a popular, cheap destination for 'wealthy' white westerners. Another bombing or an earthquake or volcanic eruption are the potential downsides for us 'wealthy' hedonists.
Just like Thailand, the locals seem quite resilient to natural and man made events.
Australian media would have you believe otherwise!
Erm, it is a big deal, this law represents a hard line take over of the legislature and a worrisome direction for Indonesia. The additional no criticism of the president is even more worrying. The laws are deliberately vague allowing interpretation greater leeway in application.
There’s been twenty years of laws like this being pushed. The alcohol ban is another than keeps periodically raising its head. I don’t believe it’s a watered down version, rather a poorly defined and vague version. The laws on insulting the presidency and other bits and bobs are designed to stifle criticism and protest.
The Leader will change. They are trying to restore the primacy of Secularism. The Muslimpopulation is the reason that proposed legislation tries to restore that. Its not the present leader that needs help, its the more moderate parliamentarians who are pushing this. They prefer to change is now, because no one knows who the next guy might be, or maybe they do! Legal challenges to the status quo will be in the remit of the Hindu majority in Bali. Jakarta and Surabaya and the like will always have expats, or will they?
It doesn't bother me that some folk don't agree with it. They are just short sighted, and it's a temporary home for me anyway, just like Thailand was.
I did think Willy was smart enough to get it. Oh well.
The Indonesian establishment is schizophrenic: on the one hand they are fundamentalists clinging to their repressive religion as a tool aiding conformity among a largely ignorant and supine population and on the other they need the investment of the West as its economy develops and takes an ever greater market share from the commie Chinks whose labour costs are rising inexorably.
But in the end they are scarcely civilised Asians, congenitally inclined to corruption and cronyism whose ethical compass is largely determined by hypocrisy and their wallets.
So, really, who gives a fuck. Scratch them, a savage still bleeds.
Casual racism?? You gormless old nitwit, it’s a thoroughly grounded observation founded on the fucking truth.
It's not so much casual racism as explicit grounded in the fear of the changing world no longer values his so called British superioity.
Please stop being silly. It is yet another repeat of your well worn hatred of anyone and anything that isn't you! It is your hardcore detestable race hatred. No fine points to it at all.
Your firmly held and spoken beliefs of race are outdated, just like you.
Casual racism happens when someone drops a daft comment in a conversation. You dont do that, because your kind of racism is entrenched, institutional and retarded by the flimsy application of generaliations.
Move on dipstick.
You dozy, woolly-minded old buffoon, in what fucking sense is Indonesia not as portrayed in my vivid and insightful vignette?
Vivid and insightful?
You silly, anachronism of a clown.
He seems to be ramping up the racism.
Err, in what fucking sense is a society, populated by Asians, in Asia, that is legislating a measure preventing sexual intercourse outside of wedlock not a bunch of fucking savages, you dullard fuckwitted dreezil twats?
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