Chinese writing

[Steadysteve]

Hi everyone,

Can anyone shed some light on the ban on importing anything with chinese writing into Bali.
It is all the guide books but there is no explanation of why, or if it is enforced.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Guest]

The ban on chinese publications was ostensibly part of a wider program by Suharto's "New Order" assimilation policy meant to encourage ethnic minorities to more fully integrate into the Indonesian community. In reality it seems to have had more to do with anti-communism since other asian languages weren't banned to the same degree.

In any case the ban was lifted by President Wahid in February 2001.

 

[Steadysteve]

Thanks for that, now my wife can bring her tai chi fan on hoilday with her and not fear arrest.