Trouble in Paradise: Tourism surge lashes Southeast Asia's beaches

Yahoo – AFP, Lillian SUWANRUMPHA with Joe FREEMAN in Bangkok and AFP bureaus,  April 11, 2018

Thailand received 35 million tourists last year, of whom nearly 10 million hailed
from China, according to official data (AFP Photo/Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)

Hordes of tourists clamber across the white sand with selfie sticks as Thai park rangers wade into turquoise waters to direct boats charging into the cliff-ringed cove.

Made famous by the 2000 movie "The Beach" starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Maya Bay on the western Thai island of Koh Phi Phi Ley is now a case study in the ruinous costs of runaway tourism, swamped by up to 4,000 daily visitors.

"There is too many people here, it's bad," lamented Saad Lazrak, a 61-year-old from Morocco, as crowds around him swallowed the stretch of sand encircled by an amphitheatre of limestone cliffs.

Across the region, Southeast Asia's once-pristine beaches are reeling from decades of unchecked tourism as governments scramble to confront trash-filled waters and environmental degradation without puncturing a key economic driver.

Thailand's Maya Bay will be off limits for four months from June to September, officials announced last month, in a bid to save its ravaged coral reefs.

In the Philippines, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered this month the Boracay beach resort closed to tourists for up to six months from April 26, describing the destination as a "cesspool" tainted by sewage dumped directly into the sea.

Indonesian officials, meanwhile, declared a "garbage emergency" last year swamping a six-kilometre stretch of coast along the island of Bali.

The island's grim coastal pollution was highlighted in March by British diver Rich Horner's viral video of swimming through a sea of trash swirling off shore.

"Plastic bags, more plastic bags, plastic, plastic, so much plastic!" Horner said in a Facebook post that has been viewed more than a million times.

Thailand's Maya Bay will be off limits for four months from June to September 

in a bid to save its ravaged coral reefs (AFP Photo/Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)

Breathing space

Conservationists and governments are worried about the health of coral reefs, which are in a dire state globally due to climate change and rising sea temperatures.

When exposed to warmer waters, they shed the algae that dazzle the eye and are vital to marine eco-systems, leaving the corals diseased or bone-white in a process called bleaching.

Environmental stress, including pollution, human contact and exposure to plastics that comes with mass tourism are also major threats to reefs that are part of the draw for snorkellers and scuba-divers.

"Tourism has a series of detrimental effects on coral health," said Eike Schoenig, a Thailand-based marine biologist at the Center for Oceanic Research and Education.

Countries in Southeast Asia are looking to stem the threats without cutting off the cash flow of a regional tourism boom, led by China, the top source market for travellers to the region.

Thailand received 35 million tourists last year, of whom nearly 10 million hailed from China, according to official data.

But what is good for business can be bad for beaches.

Songtam Suksawang, Thailand's National Park Office Director, told AFP he personally inspected the beach at Maya Bay and said it "must definitely be (temporarily) closed" in order to rehabilitate it.

He said authorities are discussing new rules once the shut-down is lifted, such as restrictions on the number of daily visitors, better regulation of boats and a higher entrance fee.

Made famous by the 2000 movie 'The Beach' starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Maya Bay

 on the western Thai island of Koh Phi Phi Ley is now a case study in the ruinous 

costs of runaway tourism (AFP Photo/Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)

Tourism costs

Thailand is also conducting studies on six other marine parks, while the Philippines is weighing action on other top destinations buckling under mass tourism.

But governments are wary of curtailing an industry that creates jobs and buoys economies.

Spending on travel and tourism contributed nearly $136 billion to the region's GDP in 2017, a figure forecast to rise to $144 billion this year, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council.

The cost of the closures is already being felt in the Philippines, where hundreds of Boracay hotels and tour companies are facing steep losses from cancelled rooms, flights and other bookings.

But some countries are not taking such dramatic steps.

In Indonesia, the tourism ministry said there were no plans to close Bali or any other holiday destination in the archipelago, although it acknowledged that pockets of the tropical paradise were under strain from heavy tourism.

"Shut down Bali? I don't think we will need to do that yet," said ministry spokesman Guntur Sakti. "Bali is the centre of Indonesian tourism."

In fact, Indonesia has identified 10 other destinations where it is trying to boost visitors and replicate Bali's success, including neighbouring island Lombok and Lake Toba in Sumatra.

Experts are also sceptical that short shut-downs will have lasting effects.

Fire dancers perform for tourists on the southern Thai island of Koh Phi Phi, which

is swamped by up to 4,000 daily visitors (AFP Photo/Lillian SUWANRUMPHA)

"Bottom line is that temporarily closing the beach is probably not the optimal solution to these problems. It only take a day for a bunch of incompetent snorkellers to trash a small reef," said Andrew Baird from the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies in Australia.

In Thailand, the government hopes to draw people to lesser known beaches.

"We are working very hard to spread people out, not to go to one condensed area," said Thon Thamrongnawasawat, a marine expert working with the parks and tourism authorities.

Travellers to Maya Bay might like the idea.

"It's very touristy. There wasn't a patch of sand that didn't have people laying down on it, taking photos," Oliver Black, a 22-year-old tourist, said of his afternoon at the destination.

As for his thoughts on the looming closure?

"It would not really upset me if I wasn't able to go to (back to) Maya beach," he told AFP.

The Indonesian holiday island has become an embarrassing poster child for the
country's trash problem (AFP Photo/SONNY TUMBELAKA)

Related Article:

Bali declares 'garbage emergency' amid sea of waste

Bali declares 'garbage emergency' amid sea of waste

Yahoo – AFP, Bagus SARAGIH, December 28, 2017

The Indonesian holiday island has become an embarrassing poster child for the
country's trash problem (AFP Photo/SONNY TUMBELAKA)

Kuta (Indonesia) (AFP) - Bali's palm-fringed Kuta beach has long been a favourite with tourists seeking sun and surf, but nowadays its golden shoreline is disappearing under a mountain of garbage.

Plastic straws and food packaging are strewn between sunbathers, while surfers bobbing behind the waves dodge waste flushed out from rivers or brought in by swirling currents.

"When I want to swim, it is not really nice. I see a lot of garbage here every day, every time," Austrian traveler Vanessa Moonshine explains.

"It's always coming from the ocean. It's really horrible," she adds.

Often dubbed a paradise on earth, the Indonesian holiday island has become an embarrassing poster child for the country's trash problem.

The archipelago of more than 17,000 islands is the world's second biggest contributor to marine debris after China, and a colossal 1.29 million metric tons is estimated to be produced annually by Indonesia.

The waves of plastic flooding into rivers and oceans have been causing problems for years -- clogging waterways in cities, increasing the risk of floods, and injuring or killing marine animals who ingest or become trapped by plastic packaging.

Officials in Bali have declared a "garbage emergency" across a stretch of coast that 

includes Jimbaran, Kuta and Seminyak beaches (AFP Photo/SONNY TUMBELAKA)

The problem has grown so bad that officials in Bali last month declared a "garbage emergency" across a six-kilometre (3.7-mile) stretch of coast that included popular beaches Jimbaran, Kuta and Seminyak.

Officials deployed 700 cleaners and 35 trucks to remove roughly 100 tons of debris each day to a nearby landfill.

"People with green uniform were collecting the garbage to move it away but the next day I saw the same situation," said German Claus Dignas, who claimed he saw more garbage with each visit to the island.

"No one wants to sit on nice beach chairs and facing all this rubbish," he added.

Bali's rubbish problem is at its worst during the annual monsoon season, when strong winds push marine flotsam onto the beach and swollen rivers wash rubbish from riverbanks to the coast, according to Putu Eka Merthawan from the local environment agency.

"This garbage does not come from people living in Kuta and nearby areas," he told AFP.

"It would be suicidal if Kuta people were doing it."

War on waste

Some 72 kilometres from Kuta, Mount Agung has been threatening to erupt for two months, prompting tourists to cancel visits and displacing tens of thousands of villagers living within a 10 kilometre-radius of the volcano's crater.

Indonesia is the world's second biggest contributor to marine debris after 

China (AFP Photo/SONNY TUMBELAKA)

But the island's waste problem is no less of a threat, said I Gede Hendrawan, an environmental oceanography researcher from Bali's Udayana University.

"Garbage is aesthetically disturbing to tourists, but plastic waste issue is way more serious," he told AFP.

"Microplastics can contaminate fish which, if eaten by humans, could cause health problems including cancer."

Indonesia is one of nearly 40 countries that are part of UN Environment's Clean Seas campaign, which aims to halt the tide of plastic trash polluting the oceans.

As part of its commitment, the government has pledged to reduce marine plastic waste by 70 percent by 2025.

It plans to boost recycling services, curb the use of plastic bags, launch cleanup campaigns and raise public awareness.

Still, the scale of the problem facing Indonesia is huge, due to its population of more than 250 million and poor waste processing infrastructure.

Hendrawan, who says both locals and tourists are responsible for the island's rubbish problem, urged authorities to invest more resources to tackle the problem.

"The Bali government should spare more budget to raise people's awareness to take care of local rivers, not to dump waste," he said.

"The central government should boost the campaign to reduce use of plastic packaging and ban free plastic bags at convenient stores."

Bali's palm-fringed Kuta beach has long been a favourite with tourists seeking sun and surf, but nowadays its golden shoreline is disappearing under a mountain of garbage. pic.twitter.com/Y27qrxapmy

— AFP news agency (@AFP) December 28, 2017

Tourism chief tells Russians no need for beach holidays

Yahoo – AFP, December 7, 2015

Foreign tourists enjoy the sunny weather at the beach of the Egyptian Red Sea

resort town of Sharm el-Sheikh (AFP Photo/Mohammed Abed)

Moscow (AFP) - Russia's tourism chief got himself into hot water on Monday by claiming there is no need for Russians to go abroad on beach holidays, after Moscow severed air ties with Egypt and warned against travel to Turkey.

In an interview with government newspaper Rossiiskaya Gazeta, the head of Russia's tourism agency Oleg Safonov said that "the need for beaches and the sea is very much a stereotype of recent years, which we already accept as our own opinion."

"Our forefathers, even the wealthy, did not go en masse to foreign seas," he said.

Safonov -- who last year declared he owned two houses on the Seychelles -- was responding to a question from an interviewer who said many Russians felt they had been "deprived of the opportunity to have a real holiday in warm parts."

Officials led by President Vladimir Putin have warned Russians against travelling to Turkey and insisted the country was no safer than Egypt, where a Russian charter plane flying from the resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh to Saint Petersburg was downed by a bomb in October, killing all 224 people on board.

Safonov's front-page interview was clearly intended to promote Russia's domestic tourist industry but misfired.

His comments irritated many, particularly as his opponents pointed out he last year declared ownership of property in the tropics.

On Monday, the word "Seychelles" in Russian became one of the top Twitter trends, and even state news agency RIA Novosti came up with an ironic headline: "A villa in the Seychelles didn't stop tourism chief Safonov from loving his motherland."

Crimean vacations

Safonov recommended that holidaymakers head to Russian-annexed peninsula of Crimea instead of going abroad, suggesting it should develop "all-inclusive" tourism.

"It would be right if a significant part of the money Russian tourists spend on holiday stayed in Russia and worked to benefit our economy and not that of another country," he said.

A tourist poses on a camel at the beach in the Egyptian Red Sea resort 

of Sharm el-Sheikh on November 3, 2015 (AFP Photo/STR)

But the temperatures there are hardly tropical, at 14 degrees Celsius in the resort city of Yalta on Monday afternoon.

Safronov's comments also remind Russians of the decades under Soviet rule when only a small elite was allowed by the authorities to travel outside the Soviet bloc.

"Yes, they think we are idiots," anti-corruption campaigner Lyubov Sobol wrote on Facebook, slamming Safonov for his "hypocrisy."

"From his house in the Seychelles, Safonov advises Russians to holiday at home," opposition politician Alexei Navalny wrote on his blog.

Safonov, a former banker and stockbroker, responded to the furore by saying that he had sold his Seychelles property.

He said his words had been misinterpreted and that he has "great respect for seaside holidays" but was "against any form of absolutism."

Russia's health authorities meanwhile also warned Russians of the dangers of sunnier climes.

"Of course I advise you to holiday in Russia," said Russia's chief sanitary doctor, Anna Popova, in comments carried by Interfax news agency over the weekend.

"It's better not to overstress the body with temperature and climate changes."

Laid-Back Paradise Found at Amed Beach in Bali

Jakarta Globe, Morgan Pettersson, Jul 05, 2015

Amed beach is quieter on the crowd front, but not short on experiences.
(JG Photos/Morgan Pettersson)

Jakarta. Nestled on the eastern coastline of Bali lays the hidden gem of Amed Beach.

A laid-back fishing village only a three-hour drive from Denpasar, Amed is the perfect place to relax in Bali without the tourist hordes — think Bali twenty years ago, before the crowds arrived in Kuta and Seminyak, and you have Amed.

Amed stretches along the coastline, a rambling long village featuring one road snaking its way from the rice fields through the mountains to the beach. Here chickens stroll among the traditional fishing boats resting on the shore as roosters strut between lounge chairs.

In Amed, locals come up to you on the beach with no other agenda but to chat and those that are selling items do not hassle you to buy.

You will have no trouble finding a spot on the beach and not feel as though you are tripping over other tourists.

Accommodation options range from high end to budget guesthouse and everything in between so there is something for everyone. With flights from Jakarta to Bali so affordable, why not explore Amed Beach next time you need a city break?

Explore the world below

One thing Amed prides itself on is its diving and snorkeling opportunities, of which numerous are scattered along its long coastline.

The volcanic soil in the area spills down to the ocean, so the black pebble shore line is not the white sand beach — but has a wonderful striking beauty of its own.

Once in the water you can snorkel multiple locations including the Coral Garden at Jemluluk Bay where a sunken temple sits among the swirling clouds of tropical fish.

Dotted along the shore line are local warungs where you can order fresh fish and seafood prepared the traditional Balinese way at affordable prices.

Even better, rest under an umbrella on a sunlounge and sip a refreshing fresh fruit juice or beer between swims.

Hire a small boat to take you to offshore snorkeling locations or to go fishing or simply appreciate Amed from afar.

If you dive, Amed will be your dream destination with both off shore and shore based dive options. The Liberty shipwreck is a favorite location among divers who frequent the area and you can also snorkel over the top as there is plenty to see from the surface.

If you do not hold a dive ticket but want to learn Amed has plenty of dive schools and is a great place to learn about the world beneath the ocean surface. You can also easily hire dive and snorkel gear from the local dive shops for an affordable price.

Experience the country side

If you turn your back to the ocean and look behind you, you will see that Amed has much more to offer than just beaches.

Mount Agung, the highest peak on Bali, looks onto the village in the near distance with rice fields spilling out below.

In fact the rice fields and countryside are part of Amed’s charm, the complete lack of development and traditional farming reminds you that you are in the real Bali.

Hire a motorbike and zoom your way along the winding mountain roads passing by fields and farms as you wind your way higher.

Heading up into the mountains will provide some great vistas over the coastline to take in the view.

If you feel adventurous then why not hike Mount Agung?

Rising at over 3,142 meters above sea level this is not a trek for the faint-hearted. Starting in the night you will arrive at the peak in time for the sunrise over the ocean, the perfect way to wake up.

If you are in need of a complete unwind from busy life in Jakarta then why not go to Rumah Pohon, a hidden meditation garden high up in the mountains.

It can be tricky to find and some of the locals have not heard of it so you will need a driver to take you there — but the views and relaxation will be worth the trouble if you do find it.

Catch a sunset

Watching the sunset is almost a religion in Amed.

Each afternoon you will begin to see people positioning themselves on the look out point over Jemluluk Bay. Here with a perfect view of the bay and Mount Agung looming in the distance you can relax as the sun sets in striking colors.

In fact you will be forced to relax with the local reggae contingent coming each evening to play Bob Marley songs on guitar.

An alternative to watching the sunset over the look out is to go out to the rice fields and watch the sun set over Mount Agung while drinking an ice tea

Here you will feel totally at peace watching the sun cast the mountain and palm trees into striking contrast with the cries of “haaa” echoing as farmers chase birds out of their rice fields.

Next time you travel to Bali for a relaxing getaway, how about skipping the crowds and instead getting back to the real Bali. With beaches, mountains, rice fields, fresh seafood and dramatic sunset views Amed is the hidden paradise of Bali that is not yet in the tourist brochures.

Unspoiled Beaches, Diving and More: Natural Beauty of Karimun Jawa

Jakarta Globe, Jaka Setia – Burufly, July 1, 2013

Home to lush mangrove forests, Karimun Jawa offers opportunities to
explore great natural beauty. (Burufly Photo).

Located just north of Semarang, 27 small islands dot the Java Sea. These islands comprise the archipelago Karimunjawa, one of the seven national marine parks in Indonesia.

For those who wish to get off the beaten path for vacation, Karimun Jawa should be a destination to consider, especially since only seven of the 27 islands are inhabited.

Karimun Jawa has brilliant white and
unspoiled beaches. (Burufly Photo).

Most islanders live on Karimun Jawa island, which is also the site of Karimun Jawa, the only real town within the archipelago.

The name of Karimun Jawa is from a Javanese saying “Kremun kremun saking tanah Jawi” uttered by Sunan Nyamplungan, the son of Sunan Muria (one of the nine great teachers of Islam in olden days Java). These words were to describe his amazement on how far the distance of this mini archipelago is from mainland Java.

The islands of Karimun Jawa offer much in the way of wildlife and many opportunities to explore great natural beauty. Beyond having brilliant white and unspoiled beaches, the islands are also are home to lush mangrove forests.

Visitors to Karimun Jawa island can book snorkeling and diving excursions to examine the atolls and marine life up close.

The best time to visit is during the dry season, roughly from May to September.

Burufly

Eco-kites color Jakarta’s skies this weekend

Eny Wulandari, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sun, 07/25/2010 12:20 PM

An Indonesian woman prepares to fly a kite during the Jakarta International Kite Festival July 24, 2010. Participants from 15 provinces in Indonesia and nine countries, including Australia, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, the Netherlands and Japan, joined the two-day festival.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

More than 150 kite fliers from nine countries and 15 provinces of Indonesia took part in the Jakarta International Kite Festival at Carnaval beach, Ancol, North Jakarta, on Saturday.

Themed Hijau Jakartaku (My green Jakarta), various kites in the form of animals colored the hazy and windy sky throughout the afternoon.

Gunadi, a kiting enthusiast from Solo, Central Java, said he and his partner, Widodo, created pedicab-shaped, two-dimensional kite and three-dimensional dragon kite for the competition.

“They took two months to make,” he said.

Widodo said they faced stiff competition on the first day.

“Young participants have started showing creativity this [year]. Some have more creative ideas than us,” Widodo said.

Both Widodo and Gunadi, who work as kite designers, said making business deals was not their reason for attending this year’s event.

“We regularly sell kites for Rp 50,000 [US$5.50] but we are not expecting to sell them at this event,” Gunadi said.

Making kites, he said, took time depending on the complexity of the design.

“Two days is the quickest. But it can take up to one year depending on the level of difficulty to patch,” he said.

A Japanese contestant in the festival said that channeling his hobby was his main reason for coming all the way from Tokyo to take part in the competition.

“I have attended 10 international kite festivals in Jakarta,” he said, adding he took part in similar competitions in Singapore, India and Malaysia.

He admitted traditional kite designs were his favorite.

One of the designs that he and his fellow Japanese contestants brought to the event were took

the shape of their country’s most distinctive item of clothing, the kimono.

Sari Madjid, head of the competition’s organizing committee, said this year’s event, which ends Sunday, has encouraged more local participants.

“Fifteen provinces sent representatives this year, up from 14 in 2009. But the number of foreign countries has not increased,” Sari said.

She added the judging system would be based on the creativity, quality of the kites design and how well they fly.

She added the event aimed at preserving kite flying as a form of local culture.

“Apart from that, we are expecting local kite makers to make deals with their counterparts from other countries,” she said.

She added each province had send two representatives, most of whom were traditional kite

makers.

Related Article:

Int'l Kite Festival kicks off in Jakarta

Padang boosts tourism with its new Sikuai "honeymoon" island

By Bustanuddin, Antara, 14 March 2009 

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The scenery of Padang, capital of West Sumatra province, tens of years ago with its Gunung (mount) Padang relating to the legend "Malin Kundang", but now the condition had drastically changed with more places of tourist interests. 

In brief, the Legend of "Malin Kundang" was about an only son (Malin Kundang) coming from a small and poor family lived with his mother in a village not so far from Padang, was actually a very loyal son to his beloved mother as a single parent.      

After growing up, however, Malin Kundang went to Padang, to continue his study and several years later he became a rich skipper of a ship, while his poor mother still lived in the village.        

After learning that her successful son had returned by a ship which cast anchor at the local seaport, the poor mother in ragged cloths went to the town to meet her son she had not met for a long time.        

To her astonishment, Malin Kundang refused to accept her mother and told her to stay away from his ship, saying that he didn't know the poor old woman. She was obviously very sad and deeply disappointed with her son's attitude.        

The poor woman tried again and again to convince Malin Kundang that she was his mother. But in response Malin Kundang told the old woman to stay away from his ship.        

And eventually the old poor woman left the ship while praying to God. According to the legend, God had turned Malin Kundang and his ship to stone.      

The ship which is now a big rock, where water oozed out of it like teardrops, has now become part of Gunung Padang, and frequently visited by people as a tourist attraction.     

Besides Gunung Padang, the Padang city administration had also built the Siti Nurbaya long bridge over the Muaro Padang river where many commercial ships cast anchor at the Muaro (estuary) small port.        

Near the Muaro Padang, visitors can easily enjoy the spicy and delicious Padang food, especially from afternoon until night. 

Many food stalls at Padang beach serve lots of well-known Padang food including "Talua Katuang" (boiled sea turtle eggs).    

According to Padang mayor Fauzi Bahar, in an effort to provide better access from the city centre to the Minangkabau International Airport (BIM), the city administration has started constructing a 25-km main road. 

Sikuai Island enchantment   

Only recently, several Indonesian artists including noted movie  actress Christine Hakim and foreign journalists visited the new Sikuai Island resort, some 30 to 40 minutes trip by boat from Muaro Padang.      

With the wind blowing softly, the boat ride to Sikuai island became more interesting.     

Sikuai (meaning come here), which is about 40 hectares wide and some 400 meters above sea level, is one of 19 islands in the Padang mayoralty, or in Bungus sub-district, West Sumatra.      

In the island's waters, tourists can enjoy snorkeling, diving, fishing or just swimming while enjoying the sight of marine animal  species and coral reefs.    

By only swimming some meters away, one could enjoy the sight of marine animal species including coral reefs in a huge aquarium, and the white beach on which they could easily walk.

In addition, the island's natural forests with a lot of coconut trees are also very interested.        

After looking at the marine animal species and walking on white and clean beach, visitors in the afternoon could also enjoy sports like cycling or simply walking around the island on a 4.5 km-long small road, while enjoying the sight of many animals like lizzards, monkeys and birds.         

On a small hill of the island, chairs had also been provided on which people can watch the sunset. To spend the night on the island, the new Island resort management had also built some 52 bungalows at reasonable rent and restaurants.    

According to Rikwan, the new island resort manager, many visitors, including honeymooners, to the island stayed there for several days, while enjoying delicious foods and the island's young coconuts, as well as spending their leisure time in the open air. 

Related Article:

Five countries studying disaster preparedness in West Sumatra

Padang allocates Rp1.07 billion for city cleanliness

Gone with the wave

The Jakarta Post   |  Sat, 02/28/2009 10:02 AM  

 

Tourists mill around on Kuta Beach in Badung regency on Thursday, seemingly oblivious to parts of the beach lost through erosion. The phenomenon has hit the beach again after the completion late last year of a project to guard the beach from this very threat. (JP/Ni Komang Erviani)

CHRISTMAS CROWDS

The Jakarta Post,  Tue, 12/30/2008 8:20 AM  |  Bali 

 

  Foreign and domestic tourists flock the famous Kuta beach during the Christmas’ holiday period. The beach is one of Bali’s main tourist attractions. (JP/Zul Trio Anggono)

Indonesian lawmakers give bikinis the all clear

The Jakarta Post 

After months of in-depth consultations Indonesian lawmakers have decided that bikinis are acceptable attire for beaches in the mainly Muslim country. 

The move will bring a sigh of relief from Indonesia's lucrative tourism industry, which has expressed concern over a new anti-pornography bill being pushed by conservative Muslim parties. 

"Tourists will be able to wear bikinis in special tourist areas, such as in Bali, so Indonesia's tourism industry won't be hurt by this legislation," Democrat Party lawmaker Husein Abdul Azis said as reported by state news agency Antara on Friday. 

"We are listening to the protests of stakeholders and people at large," he added, referring to fears the tourism industry would suffer if bikinis were criminalized. 

Indonesia has declared 2008 "Visit Indonesia Year" and hopes to attract seven million visitors, earning 6.7 billion dollars in foreign exchange revenues. 

However, tourist arrival figures indicate the target is unlikely to be reached. 

Politicians, artists, rights activists and tourism entrepreneurs on the mainly Hindu island of Bali, Indonesia's premier tourist destination, have vowed to launch a campaign of non-compliance if the pornography bill is passed. 

But Azis, a member of the committee drafting the bill, said dramatic changes had been made to earlier versions in a bid to iron out problems. 

Lawmakers said the bill could be passed by the end of the month.

Tourists swarm Marunda Beach despite pollution

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 04/30/2008 1:10 PM

Marunda beach in Cilincing, North Jakarta, is still a weekend haven for many local tourists, despite its poor condition.

Many come to the beach to enjoy sailing and swimming in the Java Sea.

Aisyah and 25 of her relatives visited the beach Sunday morning. They rented a truck to travel from Bekasi to the beach.

PACKED: Large families prefer to spend holidays on the beach because it is free.

"We just want to have fun here. The beach is quite close to our homes. It was about a 30-minute drive to get here," said Aisyah, whose entourage was made up of mostly children under 12.

She only spent Rp 120,000 (US$13.79) to rent the truck and paid no entrance fees.

"We bring a packed lunch for a picnic, so we don't spend any money on food either," she added.

Aisyah and the children spent their time sailing, hanging out on the seashore and swimming.

"The beach is not beautiful and doesn't have many facilities, but we are having quite a good time here. The children can swim as long as they want," she said.

Aisyah's 12-year-old niece, Lia, enjoyed her time swimming in the Java Sea, despite the dirty seawater.

"The seawater is dirty. I also hurt my feet on stones and oyster shells. But that's OK. It's still fun because I can swim and gather shells with my relatives," said Lia.

For those who cannot swim, visitors can rent floating tires for Rp 3,000 for children and Rp 5,000 for adults.

Aisyah preferred to stay dry.

"I'm reluctant to go in the dirty beach. Ten years ago the water was cleaner. There was no garbage scattered around. Now it looks so dirty and there's garbage everywhere," she said.

"To be honest, if I had more money, I'd go to Ancol instead of Marunda because it's cleaner and it offers better facilities," she said.

Isan, another visitor, even forbade her six-year-old son from swimming in the dirty seawater.

"He wanted to go swimming but I didn't let him. Look, the water is not clear and it can be harmful to children. I don't want him to get a rash," said Isan.

Most of the tourists had driven from outside the city to visit the beach, despite its dirty water and poor surrounding roads.

For years, Jakarta has experienced a range of issues across its coastline, including floods, tidal waves and pollution.

Jakarta's coastal area has rapidly deteriorated in the last few years.

According to the Indonesian Forum for the Environment, six of the nine estuaries in Jakarta are heavily polluted and there are just 120 hectares of mangrove thickets left of the 1,300 hectares that existed in the 1960s.

Tourists still visit the beach, mostly because it is free, but have a hard time getting there.

If you use public transport from Cilincing, also in North Jakarta, you still have to walk one kilometer to get to the beach.

If you go by car, you can park in the lot 800 meters from the beach because the road heading to the beach is to narrow for cars.

A motorcycle may be the best bet because you can use the narrow road, although it has many potholes. You can park your vehicle in the parking area near the tourism site for Rp 2,000.

Although the beach has its negatives, a good clean up could help it realize its potential.

Existing food facilities are a little better. Tourists can enjoy seafood and other meals from food stalls run by surrounding residents.

Muslims visitors can pray at the 348-year-old Al Alam mosque near the beach, where many residents believe Pitung, a Betawi hero during the Dutch colonial era, used to pray.

Besides enjoying the panorama, some tourists visit the beach to go fishing. Asep, a Bekasi resident, usually goes fishing on Sundays.

"I like fishing and often doing it in Marunda. It's free. I usually come here in the morning and go home in the afternoon," he said on a trip with his cousin.

"I can catch about a kilogram or between 15 to 20 cichlid fish. My family and I usually eat them," he said.

Although he enjoys fishing in the area, Asep hopes the North Jakarta administration will provide better fishing areas at the beach.

"I heard the administration is going to convert the beach into a recreational area. If they do that, maybe I will bring my wife and kids here," he said, referring to the administration's plan to develop the beach into one like Ancol.

Aisyah shares Asep's opinion.

"I hope the administration will soon repair the roads heading to the beach, clean the area and provide a playground facility for children. After they finish the development, I hope it will still be free," she said.(trw)