……… and Olive Oil Blues too ……….
At last, thanks to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, the reasons for the restricted supply of alcohol in Bali are now more clear
(
http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2008/s2450794.htm)
To put it succinctly;
1. Alcohol imported into Indonesia has always been subject to
(a) 150% import duty
(b) 40% luxury tax
(c) 10% sales tax
2. importers, hotels in Bali etc previously circumvented these rules by buying on the black market or by “negotiating” a low value on the import with the Indonesian Customs department
3. as part of SBY’s anti-corruption drive those loopholes have been closed
4. the result is imported wine and spirits are now subject to the full taxes on the real value
5. given next year’s election and SBY’s need to court the support of Muslim parties, he is unlikely to step in
A BBC report casts more light.
(
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7782063.stm)
Another suggests there is a policy of introducing Islamic law by the back door.
(
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6632239.stm)
The recent anti-pornography law seems to support this opinion.
To me, just as important as the booze supply is the supply of imported foodstuffs which are also being restricted.
In November my Japnese g/f & I found large sections of Papaya (the Japanese supermarket in Kuta) were empty.
Bali Deli, Carrefour and Gourmet Garage were OK but for how long?
So maybe, as well as vino, it’s goodbye to olive oil, parmesan etc.
My lifestyle of a simple rural existence in East Bali supplemented by weekly trips to Warisan, La Luciola, Ultimo etc for western pleasures could be thing of the past.
Expats who chose Thailand or Malaysia over Bali don’t seem to face these problems.
