Truth, Justice and Harmony

[Bert Vierstra]

A few months ago, Dewi told me about a girl, who I will call "Putu Sri", but it is not her real name. Putu is a girl that hangs around the house of Dewi's parents a lot, and often comes with our family to ceremonies or "happenings". Her parents are divorced, and her real mother has gone. Her father lives in her house, but her grandmother, neighbor of Dewi's parents, is the actual caretaker.

Putu Sri had her first period, and she was only 10 years old. Dewi was surprised that a girl at that age could already start menstruation.

Yesterday Dewi told me again about Putu Sri. Her period took very long this time, and Dewi wanted to help. She took Putu to the "bidan" for a examination. A bidan is a midwife, you find plenty of those around in the villages.

During talks with Putu, and the examination of the bidan, it became clear that this was no ordinary period. Her vagina was "damaged". Putu told about men from the village who had sex with her. She was paid 5.000 rupiah for it. 10 years old. (actually one of her family members told later, 2 x 5.000 and 1x 10.000)

Dewi called me and asked me for advice. I told her that this was a case for the police, but she was reluctant to take action, and asked me to come to the village. Dewi was not convinced right away about what Putu Sri was telling. I had a small chat with Putu, and was convinced that she spoke the truth. "It" had been happening the last few months, and at first sight it seemed that Putu Sri had gone voluntary with the men. Yes, plural. But it was only this specific guy that hurt her.

I said that allthough it wasn't rape, its still very illegal, and Putu was too young to make choices. It had to be reported to the police. We asked the grandmother, who was with Putu if she wanted to report it. After some persuasion she wanted to. Dewi called a police officer she knows from the village, to find out how and where. He asked about the situation and gave a phone number.

Dewi called, and the police officer said that the direct family had to report it to the station. The grandmother said that she wanted to consult the family before doing this, and she went.

15 minutes later the grandmother came back and told us that they wanted to find a solution within the family and the village first. Fine I said, and I went directly to the Kepala Dusun. (A Kepala Dusun is a head of a neighborhood in a village. He reports to the Kepala Desa, the "mayor"). He was a bit busy with changing a tire, and would talk to me soon.

In the mean time about 5 police men had arrived, probably warned by the guy Dewi had called. They entered the house of Putu Sri, and asked about the situation, talked with some family members and Putu Sri. The name was given of the guy that had hurt Putu.

Now the Kepala Dusun arrived and he was irritated that the police was there, without consulting him first. "We solve things in our village ourselves, and I don't know where this is about". The police men explained that they had heard about the situation, and that it was not an ordinary neighborhood quarrel. Still, the Kepala Dusun was able to convince the police to let him take care of it, and if reports needed to be filed, the family was able to do so. The police went, and the Kepala Dusun went to "the suspect" (about 45) and took him to Putu Sri's house. Putu and her family were there in the same room with the suspect. I tried to object, but Dewi said "let them handle it".

A lot of Balinese talking went on, and as far as I understood, he didn't directly confess, but told that he had a craving for sex, and got sick if he didn't get it. Agreed was that things shouldn't happen again, and nobody wanted problems. No reports shall be filed with the police.

The suspect went. People smiled, problem was solved. I told the Kepala Dusun, that if I heard something again I would file a report myself.

I had a long talk with Dewi and told her what happened was so very wrong. That this "solution" of the village was so very wrong. Dewi told me that I don't know how things work in the village. I told her that I damned know well how things work in the village. Decisions are made not because of some holy Adat, but because of relations (Suspect has money), to keep "peace" and avoid disturbances in the village equilibrium. Dewi also expressed her fear that something would happen to us, because people will say that we put this whole thing in motion. I must admit that I was a bit worried when I heard some noise near our gate later that evening.

--------------------


This morning we again went to the village to pray at Dewi's family temple for Kuningan.

Putu Sri's father had arrived, and also some of her family members, because of Kuningan. They decided not to let it all go so easily, not accept the "decision" of the village, and they wanted to file a report with the police. Thank God, I said, and gave thumbs up to the father. Even right now a lot of talking goes on, and I don't know if the report has really been filed yet.

 

[froggy]

Sorry to hear it Bert, must be very difficult.... sitting there in front of him... can you ask permission to crack him in the head one good time??? tell them you too have a sickness, and the only cure is to crack him in the head a few times, it would cure you and make you feel better!! wait , I feel it coming on myself, bert your sickness must be contagious... Again sorry to hear it.. Frog

 

[Ilu]

Hi Bert
When I read your stoey my hart was crying. In my years in Bali I have heard a lot of this stories and only a few days ago I had a discusion with my husband about this subjekt, how we can influens the village to go to the police. I have herd stories about rape and abuse where the village had taken care of the problem. I think its a good thing you get involved, because we can learn locals that this had to go to the police.
I have heard stories where the girl had to marry the raipist, it makes me cry.

 

[PeterCatchpole]

Truly heartbreaking, how anyone can contemplate hurting a child is completely reprehensible to me, you showed good sense and self control.

 

[Roy]

Sorry Bert, but by now you should know the cardinal rule of successful expat life in Bali, which is, to keep your nose out of Balinese business, especially this kind of business, unless it involves your immediate family.

I too find it very hard sometimes to listen to Eri, but in the end of all the sticky things we have been through, her initial advice and manner of handling the situation has always been the best. I agree that sometimes it is near impossible to go against the grain of who we are, and the way we were raised, and what we can or cannot tolerate, but issues like you bring up are in fact best left for the Balinese to handle in their way, and without our intervention, which will almost be guaranteed to be later seen as interference.

Bringing the police into a situation like this right off, is a huge mistake. Problems like this, within the Balinese community, are best handled within the banjar.

I am not trying to get too personal here, but as I read your post, and put myself in your sandals, your wife Dewi offered you the best advise she could, and I have no doubt that my wife would have done the same, viz, "let them handle it". Our Balinese wives are our best guides and to some extent, protectors in many ways. While it is not always easy, we could both benefit from listening to them more often.

While you and I would agree somewhat, that justice has not been done, in many ways it has. This man has been totally dishonored within his village, and to pay for his crime, he gets to continue to live there in total shame...his reputation and “face” annihilated by the process of adat within his village. The reason the polda (police) backed off is because they know very well that banjar justice is swift and far more effective than any court.

My advice is that the next time you find yourself in the middle of this kind of issue, leave it to Dewi to handle.

 

[Bert Vierstra]

My advice is that the next time you find yourself in the middle of this kind of issue, leave it to Dewi to handle.

If they decide to do as they did last evening, I would not have done anything, but write this story, I guess.

Its my idea that the "village", and also Dewi, chose an easy way out, afraid of what if, not some sublime justice system that should be respected, at least I did not detect it. After the "suspect" went home, I told the Kepala Dusun that if I heard anything like this again, I would go straight to the police, he agreed to that.

I made it very clear, that this kind of behavior should not be tolerated, and not be dealt with like "Ok, I am not going to do it again", loss of face or not.

This young girl is already a bit neglected by her family, does bad on school, and now this. No community should shit on their young like this.

I am glad that the family wanted to press charges, even though the "village" decided to take the easy road. (At least we still have to see.)

 

[Sanurian]

A dreadful but not unusual scenario, not only in Bali but in many places throughout Indonesia.

This subject has appeared on this very forum before. I vaguely recall even yourself asking how widespread child prostitution is around Bali. I'm ashamed to admit this but Putu Sri's story is just one of many. How many, I don't exactly know. I'm ashamed because when I first came across incidents like this, (a long time ago), I had a choice, too. Whether or not to 'get involved' and push poor families to do something. In one particular example, some local police were the transgressors. What could the Balinese families whose children had been violated actually do? Report it to the violators? Go 'higher'? With both no money and very little 'education'?

Two coincidences occurred earlier today, in relation to this topic. I watched a Discovery Channel programme called 'Guilty or Innocent?' It was about an alleged children abuse case in the USA and two people were sentenced to very long prison terms (like 5 life-terms, etc) and the 'evidence' didn't really stack up. (No medical evidence of any kind, clean lie-detector results, conflicting testimonies from the children involved.) In the end, some of the parents of the alleged victims each got US 1.5 million dollars, settled out of court. Of course, there's no way I can vouch for the veracity of all this, but bungling shit does happen in the West. Imagine what could/does happen here, in Indonesia?

The second coincidence was when I read today's on-line version of The Jakarta Post.

...State to blame for child abuse, says report...

Here are a few snippets from that article:

"...In Indonesia...children are still seen as objects, facing a range of abuses, often at the hands of their families and the state...

...In its year-end report...the National Commission for Child Protection, said that nearly 13.5 million Indonesian children had suffered human rights violations over the last year...

...The state is still reluctant to place the problems of children on a parallel with the issues of politics and the economy, even through their responsibility to protect the children is stipulated in the Constitution...

...The commission also saw the abandonment of children by the state in the nation's television programming. It said that 62 percent of its content, both TV programs and commercials, incited violence...

...On the other hand, there is the exciting fact that people no longer see cases of sexual abuse as embarrassing. Even more parents are filing reports with us about sexual abuse their children have suffered...

...The commission has urged the government to establish a ministry for children, allocate 20 percent of the state budget to education as the Constitution mandates, provide free education and health services and stop the media from showing violence, mysticism and pornography..."

Food for thought there. And Bert, have you talked to Gloria about this? She might have some ideas/tactics. Worth a try, especially since you've inadvertently made yourself some kind of 'target'.

:cry:

 

[Roy]

Bert, you cannot get more agreement from me that this behavior is not to be tolerated, or accepted. My point, perhaps to found within the lines of my first response, is that for us expats to become directly involved in this sort of matter, unless it involves a direct relative, is potentially very dangerous. I’m only calling for caution and reason as you balance the potential long term actions your direct involvement may include.

Drawing on another metaphor or euphemism, you are directing your energy and resources far too much to win this battle, where you should concentrate on the war itself.

I take this abuse of kids very, very seriously. If it ever happened to one of my own, I’d simply kill the SOB and my village would back me up 100%. Even then, the police would never be called in. Justice dari kampung is very effective, and I personally would rely on it far more than any regency or provincial court.

 

[Bert Vierstra]

I am not "in Battle", "a target", or in a "potentially dangerous situation".

I just expressed my opinion in a village where people know me, and told my wife that she shouldn't be scared. I think my father in law picked something up, and he has been doing some talking as well.

Its up to the family to decide.

 

[Bert Vierstra]

Well, just heard that "Putu Sri" has been to the hospital to get an examination, and later she she had to undress at the police station as well. Searching for evidence, I suppose :shock: :shock: All because the family reported it, thank God.

The suspect is angry with Dewi, because he thinks Dewi reported him to the police, while the family did.

 

[Roy]

Well Bert, I’m just dumbfounded and speechless after reading your last post.

She,

has been to the hospital to get an examination, and later she had to undress at the police station as well. Searching for evidence, I suppose

and,

The suspect is angry with Dewi, because he thinks Dewi reported him to the police,

 

[Thorsten]

Sad, very sad, poor little girl

Putu told about men from the village who had sex with her. She was paid 5.000 rupiah for it. 10 years old. (actually one of her family members told later, 2 x 5.000 and 1x 10.000)

Not sure if I got this right Bert, but you wrote in plural and also that at least one of her family members was aware of this?
Is the conclusion applicable, that she was abused by different men of her village and also that somebody of her family has known about this?

For the known perpetrator – I wouldn’t give a flyspeck for his promise, he will do it again, maybe another girl, a different location, but he will!
These guys are sick and should get a treatment due this, although I’m not a advocate for self-justice, but for a medical treatment in this case, only one thing comes to my mind – castration.

In a more and more unconcerned world, people like your wife Dewi are giving some hope, great how she concerned for the girl and took care for her, only her solicitude brought the truth to the light and will hopefully contribute to stop the grief of this little girl, I’m thankful due this.

Best regards and please keep us informed
Thorsten

 

[a leap of faith]

It’s so difficult to say what one might have done Bert’s shoes on that day.

I know what I probably would have done and it would have been a hot headed totally emotional response to such an appalling outrage. Probably not very useful in the context of a Balinese community!

This girl was evidently not very well cared for and was therefore vulnerable. I suspect the men that so heartlessly abused her probably knew that and expected little retribution if caught because her and her families status in the community was low.

I think there should be a forum for everyone in this community to talk about this. The community, health workers, community leaders and local schools should use this terrible event to ensure that other children do not fall prey to this predatory behaviour.

A community turning a blind eye to events like these is all too common. It’s too difficult to deal with. It takes leadership from respected people within that community to open the discussion.

I hope this girl receives the love and support that she needs to slowly recover to some degree from her ordeal. I also sincerely hope that she is tested to ensure she has not been infected by these dogs.

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." (Edmund Burke)

 

[tintin]

Not to hijack this most serious and painful exchange regarding little Putu, I would like to bring to your attention a recent article in the Jakarta Post, by Alit Kertarahardja, who raises another serious problem in Bali.

Suicides on the Increase: Bali, Indonesia

One could never imagine that suicide within the Balinese society is high, but it is. Living in ‘paradise’ [as most westerners look at it] should not give cause to end your life.

What experts say about suicidal behavior within Balinese society

Bali has been going through difficult times just recently. Once known as a peaceful resort island, it has gained a new reputation as soft terrorist target after two deadly bombings in October 2002 and October 2005.

The drastic change in its social landscape, moving fast from agriculture to an industrialized society, has caused serious social as well as economic problems that many people cannot cope with.

"We are living in a stressful society," commented L.K Suryani, professor of psychiatry at Udayana University.

In the past, Bali had a close-knit, extended-family system living in family compounds surrounding by tranquil dwellings and rural landscape.

"Mothers had a role taking care of family business -- cooking and raising their children at home," said the professor, the founder of the Suryani Institute of Mental Health.

Raised in a spiritual and unpolluted environment enriched with flowers, the scent of incense from family shrines, dance and traditional music, a Balinese child might experience the best period in their life. "These encouraging conditions might have a positive impact on children's physical and mental well-being," the professor said.

Bali is no longer a quiet and peaceful place, she explained. The island has been turning into a multicultural society with wide exposure to international visitors, who bring with them quite different values.

Bali has been transformed into a lucrative tourist and business center where locals are deliberately or unintentionally drawn into these "alien" business activities. Some are ready, others are reluctant.

Local people have been trapped between economic and cultural change and therefore a great number of locals are unable to cope with present-day living conditions.

A study reveals that the suicide rate in Bali has been increasing since 2003.

Between 2003 and 2006, Bali Police recorded the incidence of suicide in Karangasem, east Bali, one of the poorest regencies; it had already reached 149, while in Buleleng, north Bali, it was 86 cases.

Many suicides went unreported as they were considered a matter of family shame. In some remote areas cases were ignored. "The alarming thing is that the cases involved children and teenagers," Suryani explained.

Reports revealed that one elementary school student hanged himself because he was often asked by a teacher to pay his school tuition fees.

The underlying reasons for suicide can be quite complicated.

The causes of suicidal behavior vary in accordance with the age and social background of the victim. Frequent feelings of sadness and helplessness can lead to serious consequences.

They can also escalate to the point where both adults and teenagers think that suicide is the only way to escape their bad situation, she added. Chronic illness or difficulties in their lives have frequently led many elderly and adults to take a short cut by committing suicide.

Teenagers face their own problems like losing a partner, dealing with family problems such as financial concerns and divorce, as well as coping with school problems and peer-group pressure.

"Most teenagers who have suicidal tendencies do not really want to end their lives; they just want people to listen, to understand and to solve their problems.

"They need someone to talk to," the professor said, adding that adult people -- parents, teachers and even their peer group -- have to show to such vulnerable young people that they can overcome any problem in a more reasonable way.

According to Dr. Dewa Basudewa, there are a number of warning signs of suicidal behavior, especially for teenagers. These include being depressed, being melancholic or having feelings of helplessness.

He also pointed out that a drastic change in behavior such as becoming introverted or vice versa, or loss of interest in normal activities, can be clear signs of depression that can lead to potentially suicidal acts.

"Don't ever take lightly a suicide threat or attempt. They can be real," Dr. Basudewa said. Other self-destructing behavior such as taking drugs and alcoholic drinks often leads young people to desperation and later suicide.

"Help and support are badly needed to enable these suicidal people to feel understood, cared, loved and listened to," the doctor said. Talking and communicating with them and getting at the root of their problems is crucial to working toward a right solution.

Dr. Cokorda Bagus Jaya Lesmana has another argument. In his opinion, both printed and electronic media play a key role in the coverage of violent action including suicides, killing, rape and robbery. Almost all TV stations show crime programs.

"In some of these, the crime is described in a detailed and chronological way, which I think will have a negative impact on viewers, children and teenagers in particular," the doctor argued. Exposure to violence at an early age may remain lodged in the mind of a person for a long time.

He suggested that the media should not put their criminal reporting on the front pages or in prime time.

"When the media cover a crime story, it should also provide clear information and the background behind the story.

"The media should also say something about the persons involved in the crime. Maybe, they have psychological problems or are suffering from some kind of depression.

"The media as well as society bear similar responsibilities in trying to create more wholesome living conditions for society."

 

[singarajasil]

Thanks Bert for posting that and thanks as well for your and Dewi's engagement!

Actually Bali has a hotline number referring to SCEC by now.
Denpasar, Bali - (0361) 226783 Ext. 127

It is in Denpasar but they are specialised in cases like that.
Don"t expect too much, if anything, from the local police. At least in our area....The story about the vicitim having to undress at the police station says it all...

I called them once for a case with a tourist involved, and I can tell you that they did absoulutely nothing! The man was still in the hotel room with 3 boys from 8 to 12, who shared the room with him the third night already. And it was nighttime and you could see the camera flashing in the room and it would have been so easy for them to just enter the room and get the guy's camera...Instead they preferred to sit down with the hotel owners and talk about us who reported the case...
The susupect checked out of the hotel undistured the next day. The boys were boasting on the beach with their pocket money...

As this is a matter of human rights I do not agree with just letting the banjar take care of those cases. Yes plural - cases. Usually the whole banjar knows about for a long time and turns a blind eye on it...
And I doubt that the violators will have a very hard time in their village.

regards,
Silvia.

 

[swisshawaiian]

What a terrible story! I was all upset and angry when I was reading Bert’s post. Although I agree that a banjar solution is in most cases more effective than the local police handling it, in this particular case, it doesn’t look like the banjar did much at all. I read the book “Island of Bali”, written by Mexican artist Miguel Covarrubias. I’m sure many in this forum have already read the book, but I wanted to have the ones who haven’t read the book, which by the way is excellent reading, read the following chapter about how a typical Balinese village handles Law & Justice (it took me a while to type this):

A “bad man” does not have a chance in the strict communal Balinese system. Everyone is so dependent on the co-operation and goodwill of others that he whose conduct is not good, or who in some way fails to be in harmony with his community, becomes a boycotted undesirable.

In Bali moral sanctions carry greater weight than physical punishment; light faults bring automatic fines, the confiscation of property, or temporary suspension from the society; but the punishment for major offences range from the dreaded boycott from all desa activities to permanent exile, total banishment from the village. Since the death penalty has been abolished by the Dutch, the fearful formula of declaring a man “morally dead” is now the capital punishment. A man expelled from his village cannot be admitted into another community, so he becomes a total outcast – a punishment greater than physical death to the Balinese mind. It often happens that a man who has been publicly shamed kills himself.

In the adapt law of every village the line of conduct for every act of the villagers is carefully set down. In a general way, the most serious crimes are those that seriously impair the well-being of the community and most especially acts that would weaken the village magic, such as temple vandalism, theft from the gods, arson, running amok, and murder, some of which may be punished by the killing of the offender on the spot. Everybody has to report, armed, immediately upon the signal of alarm (the fast continuous beating of the large kulkul), to be ready to extinguish a fire or to stop a man that has gone temporarily insane and has run wild. In Den Pasar one afternoon the alarm call was sounded. It was siesta hour, but instantly everybody was up and out; they grabbed sticks, spears, agricultural implements, or whatever was at hand and rushed out, some on bicycles, towards the sound of the kulkul. Everybody in the banjar turned out and on the road we even met the old judge, our neighbor, who could hardly walk, but who tagged along brandishing a great sword. It turned out to be simply a fire that was quickly extinguished with everybody’s aid. When the excitement was over, we returned home with the crowd, listening to their reminiscences of recent cases of alarm and of men who ran amok and were killed on the spot. Desecration of theft of temple property, if at night, can also be punished with immediate death. One night in a village near Kesiman two men were caught in the act of robbing the temple. The alarm was sounded and the villagers killed the two men as they put up a fight. They showed us the weapons that were taken from the thieves.

Other serious offences are the consistent failure to perform village duties, disobedience to officials, refusal to pay fines, repeated absence from meetings, theft of village property, especially of legal village documents, adultery, incest, bestiality, rape of an immature girl, witchery, the cutting of certain trees, theft of irrigation water, or damage to another’s property, like allowing cattle to trample a planted field.

Once we had the opportunity to observe the old-fashioned manner in which an ordinary thief is punished: Passing through Silekarang, we met a strange procession led by an old man who carried two sheaves of rice on a pole. There were flowers and leaves decorating the sheaves, and he wore red hibiscus on his grey hair. His wrinkled brown body was smeared with broad streaks and crosses of white paint all over his face, chest, and back. He was followed by a mock retinue of some fifty men carrying green boughs, yelling and beating little bamboo kulkuls. They informed us that the old man had stolen the rice and that the shameful parade was his punishment. Should he have refused to comply, he would have been thrown out of the village. We asked the men if a jail term, as would be the punishment in Den Pasar, would not be more severe or more effective than a single afternoon of public disgrace, but they were all emphatic that it was just the reverse; a thief, they said, treated in this manner will never steal again, while locking him up in the Government jail would not help anybody; they would give him free food, he would not be shamed, and besides the company would make him worse.

As the parade resumed the march with the resigned old man at the head, a compassionate passer-by handed him a little package of betel and sirih to chew on the way. Later I was told in Ubud of a similar case where the thief was paraded all over the town with the pair of old shoes he had stolen, hung around his neck. It was significant that during our entire 3-year stay in Bali, with the house always open and filled with Balinese visitors, we never lost anything!

I just wish Bert’s village would have expelled the SOB from the community and thereby declare him morally dead and thus sending others a message that this is wrong and not acceptable. I realize that the book was written in the 30's, but I believe that most of the above still takes place in a traditionally-run Balinese village. Maybe some on this board who live "Kampung" style can make some comments. I'd be very interested to know.

 

[Roy]

What is even more interesting is that Covarrbias wrote this book in 1936, or seventy years ago. The fact is, that in traditional Balinese villages, his rendition of adat law, and how it works is very much still accurate. In my village of Bunutan, it certainly is just as he described, those many years ago.

Yes, I live in a kampung di Bali asli, and yes, this is accurate and very true where I live, even to this day.

Traditional Balinese banjars around Ubud will NEVER abdicate their authority or power to Polda, and Polda understands that very well. What goes on "up North" is an anjing of a different color.

 

[Bert Vierstra]

Well, like I said...

The Father of Putu Sri didn't accept the decision of the Banjar.

Putu Sri has been to hospital, too see if she was still a virgin :shock:

There supposed to have been a reconstruction of some sort and they, the police, hear witnesses. Tomorrow its Dewi's turn.

 

[JAMIE]

Well all I can say after reading this string is that I'm stunned . Im not stunned that childred are being abused in Bali , this thing happens in every county . Im stunned that anyone would tolerate a villages weak justice system and walk away shacking there head " well there's nothing that I can do " . How can someone call a place home , want to better Bali , and be supportive of the people of Bali and not get involved . Outside influances are the things that change a culture over time , sometimes for better , sometimes for the worse . This is one of the times that the "expat" influance can do some good . Sorry to say anyone who wouldnt get involved in something like this is a coward !!!! On a personal note , my daughter are 10/12 and Im steaming mad rite now . Im not trying to make anyone mad In what I just said . But if i lived in a place and I didnt stick my nose into this type of situation I couldnt live with myself . A if the locals didnt do something about it to the satisfaction of basic human dignity , I would live that culture ....good for you Bert in doing what you did ...squeeky wheel get the greese !!!! Like froggy said , this guy or guys or be taken "fishing" and never come back ...

 

[Sanurian]

I'm sorry I feel obliged to say this, but comments like this one make my blood curdle:

...What is even more interesting is that Covarrbias wrote this book in 1936, or seventy years ago. The fact is, that in traditional Balinese villages, his rendition of adat law, and how it works is very much still accurate. In my village of Bunutan, it certainly is just as he described, those many years ago...

More interesting than what? The plight of allegedly sexually-abused children? Covarrubias' book, (note the spelling, Roy), is a true classic. No doubt about that. But if it's really true that adat law is more or less unchanged after such a long time, I think that's reprehensible. Are the banjar elders in some kind of time-warp? I wouldn't have thought so. I don't think they're all stupid, naiive and uncaring.

And then this:

...Yes, I live in a kampung di Bali asli, and yes, this is accurate and very true where I live, even to this day...

So - a traditional local 'law' system from the 1930s is able to adequately address 'issues' in the 21st century? I doubt it very much.

Jamie wrote:

...I'm stunned that anyone would tolerate a village's weak justice system and walk away shaking their head [and thinking]: "well there's nothing that I can do"...

(I took the liberty of editing his quote a little.) I'm stunned, too, but not all that surprised. The sooner Balinese pull up their bootstraps and realize there are supposedly national Indonesian laws, the better. Little neighborhood 'laws' here there and everywhere on this island do little to actually bring child sex-offenders to 'justice'. Or even unite the thousands of banjars into a cohesive whole so victims and their families have a realistic idea of what their options are.

I gather that the Acehnese in North Sumatra can now re-invent and implement their version of fundamentalist Islamic Shariya 'law'. What a great step forward that ability is. Maybe the Balinese can have their own 'traditional' laws in place, also. As well as the people from Madura, Lombok, Irian Jaya, Kalimantan, Sulewesi, and all the rest. Sounds pretty stupid and inefficient to me. I'm sure the central Indonesian government is regretting giving that much rope to Aceh. Only time will tell how it all pans out in the end.

:x