Everyone at Odds Over Sacred Temple: Karangasem, Bali

By Barrie | August 9th, 2007 | No Comments

The controversy surrounding the proposed construction of a golf course near the Mother Temple of Besakih in Karangasem regency, eastern Bali, continues, with Regent I Wayan Geredeg at odds with regional legislative council head Wayan Sukadana over the boundaries of the sacred area.

The regent said the villages of Besakih, Tegenan and Menanga in Rendang district, in which the golf course would be built, are not part of the sacred area.

Sukadana says the villages are within the boundaries of the temple area.

“The Pura Besakih spatial planning regulation states that the three villages are part of the sacred area,” he said.

He said the three villages were part of the Nista Mandala Kahyangan Jagad area, which stretches as far as five kilometers from the outer wall of the grand temple.

He said legislators would oppose the construction of the golf course because it would destroy the sanctity of the area.

Regent Geredeg said potential golf course investors were eying land in Rendang district about 7.5 kilometers from Besakih Temple, and thus not part of the Besakih sacred area.

Covering 200 hectares of land in the region, the golf course project, he said, could provide about 1,300 jobs and provide a significant boost to the local economy.

Karangasem is one of the poorest regencies in Bali.

Karangasem Deputy Regent Gusti Lanang Rai said the administration would conduct a study on potential locations and check out spatial planning regulations to ensure the project did not impede on the boundaries of the temple.

“We have agreed to call the project off should the study eventually find the villages to be part of the sacred area,” he said, stressing the project was still a long way from being launched.

Besakih Temple is the mother temple for all Balinese Hindus. It is located on the slopes of Mount Agung and boasts majestic views of the island.

Historical references suggest the temple was first constructed in the 8th century by Danghyang Markandeya, a missionary Hindu sage from East Java. The mother temple comprises more than 18 major temples and dozens of pedharman (ancestral temples), representing every clan on the island.

While saying efforts to improve the region’s economy through major projects like the proposed golf course should be supported, the deputy regent stressed the administration would take into consideration the wishes of the people.

“I also am Hindu. I will certainly oppose the exploitation of a sacred area for whatever reason,” he said.

Bali Governor Dewa Beratha has announced his opposition to the Besakih golf course project, saying any use of land near the temple must be in accordance with prevailing regulations and the wishes of the public.

Environmentalist KG Dharma Putra suggested the provincial administration take a holistic approach to development, to ensure regencies comply with spatial planning regulations.

Investment offers have often been surrounded by controversy over environmental or religious issues.

Ary Hermawan