Balinese Comedian Declares Rejection of Benoa Reclamation

Kuta-Balinese bondres mask dance artists of ‘Semeton Muda Lawak Bali’ have declared their rejection of Benoa Bay reclamation. The declaration coincided with Legian customary village residents’ rally against the reclamation titled ‘Legian Bergerak!’ (Legian Act!).

“We have gathered our fellow artists who have a shared mission, yesterday [Saturday, March 12, 2016]. We have made joint agreement today [Sunday, March 13, 2016]; we declare that we are against Benoa Bay reclamation,” said the leader of ‘Sementon Muda Lawak Bali’ I Wayan Muliada in Legian customary village, Kuta sub-district, Sunday, March 13, 2016.

I Wayan Muliada said that Bali is crying because of the wrongdoings of government officials and investors. “We show our empathy for our brothers who live in the coastside, we have to act to fight for our ancestors’ land,” he noted.

The man who is also called Inguh explained that ‘Semeton Muda Lawak Bali’ consists of 52 people from a number of art galleries and comedian communities. Bondres mask dance emphasizes humor or joke which contains criticism and often convey messages from Hindu philosophy in Bali.

“Bondres dance could be an icon to enhance the spirit of our brothers who are still afraid to fight [against Benoa Bay reclamation],” said the 34-year-old man.

In addtion, Inguh said, bondres mask dance was performed in the declaration to entertain Balinese people who have been fighting for three years against the planned reclamation project of Tomi Winata’s PT Tirta Wahana Bali International (TWBI). “I hope that the amusing comedy could galvanize Balinese people to fight against the reclamation, for them not to get tired of fighting [against reclamation].”

BRAM SETIAWAN