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CORRUPTION


Some of the TOP Hotels in Bali

Bali's most famous and crowded resort is Kuta beach, a six-kilometre sweep of golden sand, with plenty of accommodation, shops and nightlife. Nearby Sanur is much quieter, but most backpackers prefer the beaches of peaceful east-coast Candi Dasa and traveller-oriented Lovina on the north coast. The island's other major destination is the cultural centre of Ubud , a still charming but undeniably commercialized overgrown village, where traditional dances are staged every night of the week and the streets are full of arts-and-crafts galleries.

Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa
: The Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa is a luxury property strategically located only 15 kilometers away from the... Nusa Dua
Aston Bali Resort & Spa : The Aston Bali Resort and Spa is a luxury hotel located on the waterfront facing golden sandy beaches... Tanjung Benoa
Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel : Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel is situated in the coastal village of Sanur, an ideal location from which to explore... Sanur
Sanur Paradise Plaza Suites : The Sanur Paradise Plaza Suites is located in Sanur Village just two kilometers from the Sanur Paradise Plaza Hotel....Grand Bali Beach Hotel also is a nice hotel in Sanur.
Swiss Belhotel Bali Aga : The Swiss Belhotel Bali Aga is a deluxe property strategically located only 20 kilometers northeast from the Ngurah Rai... Nusa Dua
Grand Hyatt Bali Hotels located in Nusa Dua and The Oberoi Bali located in Seminyak, Maya Ubud located in Ubud, The Alilia Ubud, Chedi, Hard Rock Hotel Bali located in Kuta beach, Melia Bali located in Nusa Dua and Padma Bali located in Kuta

 


Not only does corruption exist in Indonesia, but it's a complex art; the perfection of rottenness. It is this rot that is eating away at the foundations of the nation's economy. You can be philosophical about the problem and argue that corruption is found in every country in the world, and that it's purely a western concept. But in Indonesia it permeates every level of government, from the lowliest post office clerk right up to the highest government echelons. Even the President's wife's business activities are diverse and far-reaching. Using Chinese middlemen who handle most of the money, Mrs. Tien Suharto is rumoured to be involved in everything from flour mills, to cement plants and land speculation. For years she has been nicknamed Madame Tien Per Cent, though recently because of inflation she has become known as Madame Fifty-Fifty. There are further charges that other members of Suharto's family have used their well placed connection with 'Pak Harto' to gain profits, i.e. his brother was recently awarded a multi-million dollar clove importing deal. Corruption in part stems from the traditional Asian attitude of paying deference and presenting gifts to your superiors. Low salaries are another cause of corruption, as civil servants feel compelled to look for other sources of income to buttress their official salaries. A man of standing in the community must maintain an appearance of affluence - clothes, a car, comfortable living quarters, a ritual feast every so often. Furthermore he has weighty responsibilities on his Rp20,000-30,000 per month salary; to support relatives, send his kids to schools, etc. He must accept and seek bribes. Thus, Indonesia is a land where oil-king generals earn US$100 a month, then blow US$50,000 on a daughter's wedding. You can buy the captaincy of a ship (Rp500,000), or to send off a letter extra-fast at the post office (Rp100 extra). You must even pay the teacher in order that your child graduate from the 4th to the 5th grade. To get your child in to a government high school, the only channel by which he or she may enter a university, it'll cost Rp55,000 in Surabaya, Rp35,000 in Central Java, and as high as Rp75,000 in Jakarta for the privilege. The right amount to the right person at the right time is like putting oil on the big unwieldly machine. The government's 1,2003000% pay increases which took effect in April 1977 were aimed at cutting down corruption and to narrow the gap between high and low income groups. Before April, the highest basic public salaries were 25 times the pay of the most junior civil servants. In April the salary of the lowest paid civil servants, about Rp4000 a month, soared to Rp120,000. About a million civil servants, armed forces personnel and pensioners benefited under the new salary scheme.

Nusa Lembongan is situated 12 miles south east of Bali. It is one hour traveling time by boat from Benoa Harbour. This pear shaped island is around 4km long and 2km wide. It is surrounded by a beautiful fringing reef, which hosts a myriad of marine life, The waters are renowned for their abundance of life and great surf breaks. The reef has been declared a marine park by the Indonesian authorities. Not only does the reef support its own Eco-system, but it supports most of the villagers on the island as well. The local people farm seaweed. This seaweed is cultivated, harvested then exported all over the world for use in cosmetics, food stabilizers and medicines. Other sources of income include traditional wooden boat building, farming peanuts, sweet potato, and fishing.Village life is very slow and enchanting. Very few cars and motorbikes are seen on the roads. The people are steeped in tradition, and one could imagine Bali being like this island, thirty years ago.Although the island is small there are many things to do. Fishing, diving, surfing, mangrove exploring, discovering natural fresh water springs, underground cave house exploring, cycling around the island. A visit to the bat caves on a nearby island, or a picnic at dream beach. Try catching mud cabs in the mangrove area at the back of the island. There is something for every one at Nusa Lembongan.