International Journal of Indonesian Studies Volume 1, Issue 3 | Page 19

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INDONESIAN STUDIES
SPRING 2016
Whilst Tabanan is not located close to Kuta and Sanur, the main centres of growth in
tourism in Bali since the early 1970s, the regional government has introduced wider
investment in the tourist sector of this area which is impacting on socio-cultural, economic,
political, and environmental aspects of Bali as a whole. Indeed, the central government in
Indonesia, in conjunction with regional governments, has identified the island of Bali as the
main centre of tourism in the country. A number of corporations in tourism are playing a
significant role in encouraging the government to continually develop tourist areas, without
proper consideration of the needs of the local community. Land purchases and sales are
inevitable and will continue, as well as the conversion of agricultural land for tourism and
housing which has seen a major expansion in recent years.
Existing laws and regulations seem powerless to prevent such land conversion,
largely due to abuse of power, corruption, vested interests and nepotism. According to the
chairman of the Regional Subak Society of Bali the rate of conversion of rice fields to
residential dwelling is approximately 750 hectares per year (Windia, 2009:9). Previously, the
Tabanan region was well known as the rice barn of Bali, having the largest area of rice fields
on the island, a situation that is under threat by rapid (unchecked) development. This also
relates more specifically to the expansion of Tabanan town centre, which is now up to four
times the size of its original area 100 years ago (Figure 16),12 further contributing to a
significant decrease of rice fields in this area.
In recognition of these changes, the Balinese provincial government has attempted
to protect religious areas through the implementation of the Regional Land Use Planning
Policy (No. 16/2009). However, most of the regency governments have rejected this
planning regulation, believing that it will not hinder further development of tourism in new
areas. In any case, with the National Law (No. 32/2004), the regency governments have an
authority to manage their territories without considering provincial regulations. This
inconsistency in the formulation and implementation of planning policy in Bali is further
exacerbating the problem of unchecked tourism and commercial development.
It is perhaps not surprising that religious ceremonies in Bali, such as the impressive
cremation ceremonies examined in this paper, have become key spectacles in the tourism
sector, and therefore contribute in a positive way to sustaining (and even enhancing) the
tourist economy on the island. The challenge facing all stakeholders on the island is to
ensure that the Balinese are able to continue to participate actively in the religious life of
their community, and that such religious event, and the cremation ceremonies in particular,
are protected and preserved for the benefit of future generations.
Conclusion
This article has investigated the traditional cremation ceremony in Bali as a significant and
memorable event that continues to be performed during a period of significant change on
12

The figure is reproduced from the source of Bappeda, 2006).

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