It had its inaugural run a week earlier for the Ms. World contest that brought a bevy of beauty queens and their entourages to the Busa Dua Convention Center that, this week plays hosts to far less popular government leaders of the 21 member APEC—Asia Pacific Economic Community. Later as foreign leaders arrived, the new airport was shut down — ostensibly for security reasons far inconveniencing 17,000 travellers.
Predictably, there were more photos in the press of the victory of a smiling and vivacious Ms. Philippines than all of the self-important politicians scurrying for credentials. The news in America focused on one issue: Obama’s no show and then John Kerry standing off to the side for the official photo and what he was wearing.
Once again, it was all about us. What the rest of the world cares about was barely touched on.
Political interventions are not new in Bali. Ten years ago, a small group of homegrown terrorists attracted the kind of attention politicians hate by blowing up a night club, leaving bodies and chaos in their wake.
Earlier, back in 1908, in an incident deeply embedded in Bali’s history—a country known today for peaceful interreligious harmony—Dutch invaders slaughtered resisters to their colonial invasion in an even bloodier massacre that was followed by survivors committing suicide rather than live under foreign domination. Bali doesn’t like being pushed around!
Today’s visiting leaders were drawn, like tourists the world over, to the beautiful beaches and scenic flora/fauna that is part of the reason tourism in Indonesia is the 4th highest foreign currency earner for the country. More than eight million visitors flocked here in 2012, and an additional million are expected this year.
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