Posted by RED BALI GOOD ON YOU on Monday, 5. October 1998 at 12:40 Bali Time:
Got back from Bali yesterday after 17 days and was very interesting to see the overwhelming support for Megawarti. Having been there many times and already a few this year I found it illuminating to see such an enourmous change in a country finding a political feedom. We encountered many times 100 s of cavalcading motorbikes through the regional areas, all wearing PDI headbands, T Shirts and Flags. It was spectacular and great to see. If you were a first timer to Indonesia I have no doubt that witnessing this type of support for the first time would be quite daunting. However as with most things in Bali it is all done with a smile and what appears to be young people having the freedom to voice their beliefs. I have no doubt that the show of red flags adorning most vehicles, houses and shops is a sign of a rapidly growing support for the PDI. What interested me a little was that a couple of my friends felt they had to have a small flag on their mirror of their vehicle in fear that their vehile might get damaged. As they were under the impression that an abstinence in a show of support was a show of opposition. This I hope is a misguided inference that my friends have drawn and hopefully proves that the people rightfully voicing their beliefs will not stoop to some of the performances of their predecessors.
For people travelling to Bali ! As far as I am concerned this is just another added attraction to a such diverse and enriched island,
In any case....Good on you Bali for being able to have a voice and do it in the traditional Balinese style....with grace and as always.....with a smile.