Hindus reject tourism plan for sacred Bali sites
Numerous Hindu high priests and community leaders have strongly rejected the central government's plan to include Besakih Temple and Mount Agung, both in Karangasem regency in east Bali, in the national strategic tourism plan (KSPN).
Sunday saw a high-level meeting of the Hindu organisation Pasamuhan Sabdha Pandita Parisada Hindu Dharma Indonesia (PHDI), after which the priests issued a statement rejecting any idea of transforming the two sacred sites into tourist attractions as proposed by the government.
The PHDI urged President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry to revoke a ministerial decree issued in 2011 on the inclusion of Besakih and Mt Agung as KSPN for the 2010-2025 period.
The PHDI also asked the provincial administration to retain the sacred site status of Besakih Temple and Mt Agung.
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